Patent ID: 6884992

Claim:
At least one of an imaging and raster-mode scanning apparatus comprising a sample holder for holding a sample object, one means selected from the group comprising means for generating an electron beam, means for generating a light beam, and means for determining a force onto said sample object actuator means for moving one of said electron beam, light beam or force determining means relative to a said sample object so as to form a scanner, means for forming an image when the position of one of said electron beam, light beam or force determining means is moved relatively to said sample object and optionally to a predetermined reference object so as to produce image signals, an image processor for processing said image signals, an image display device, an electrical filter having a signal input and a calibration input, at least one sensor that provides a first signal dependent on ambient influence that might interfere with proper imaging and lead to image degradation, said electrical filter having a settable transfer characteristic that can be set by applying a second signal to said calibration input of said electrical filter so as to calibrate said apparatus, wherein said ambient influences detected by said sensor are compensated to a certain extent, and wherein said first signal dependent on the ambient influences passes through said electrical filter and is combined with driving signals for said actuator means of the apparatus to compensate said ambient influences that might interfere with proper imaging.