Patent Document ID: 20050097944
Application ID: 11015945
Patent Flag: 0

Claim One:
1. A scanning probe microscopy system comprising: at least two scanning probes, each probe supported by cantilever to an atomic force microscope (AFM); control means in each AFM adapted to receive motion control signals; means for generating a motion control signals for scan directions for a first one of the AFMs for motion to create a scan by a first probe; means for determining offset motion control signals responsive to the motion control signals for a second one of the AFMs for motion in spaced relation to the first one of the AFMs to create an offset scan by a second probe; means for defining an area in a device under test to be avoided during scan; means for generating a retraction signal in the first one of the AFMs responsive to the area defining means and the generating means upon intersection of the scan and area to be avoided; means for generating a retraction signal in the second one of the AFMs responsive to the area defining means and the determining means upon intersection of the offset scan and the area to be avoided; and, means for generating image scan data from input signals from each probe.