Patent ID: 7372025

Claim:
A scanning probe microscope comprising a scanning probe tip and an electrostatic surface actuator operatively coupled to the scanning probe tip, wherein; the electrostatic surface actuator includes a movable member that has a first surface and a stationary member that has a second surface; the movable member includes a first plurality of electrodes disposed on the first surface; the stationary member includes a second plurality of electrodes disposed on the second surface; the movable member is resiliently coupled to the stationary member so that the first and second surfaces are disposed in a confronting relationship and so that the movable member is capable of being displaced with respect to the stationary member in a first direction; the first and second electrodes are configured to generate electrostatic forces in response to voltages applied thereto, the electrostatic forces being aligned to displace the movable member in the first direction generally parallel to the first and second surfaces; and the movable member is mechanically attached to the scanning probe tip such that the scanning probe tip in controllably positioned by displacement of the movable member; wherein the voltage applied to one of said first plurality of electrodes differs from the voltage applied to at least one other of said first plurality of electrodes by a predetermined amount.