Force-sensing system, including a magnetically mounted rocking element
First Claim
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1. A force-sensing system which comprises:
- a) a base member having a principal surface at least a portion of which is substantially planar and electrically conductive;
b) a rocker element having a principal surface at least a portion of which is substantially planar and electrically conductive;
c) at least one pivot element for supporting the rocker element on the base member such that;
said base-surface portion faces said rocker-surface portion, the rocker element can be tilted about at least one axis parallel to said base-surface portion; and
at least one capacitance is defined between said base-surface portion and said rocker-surface portion; and
d) means for controlling the capacitance;
characterized in thate) the pivot element comprises magnetic material; and
f) the force-sensing system further comprises means for providing a magnetic field adapted to hold the pivot element against the base principal surface.
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Abstract
A force-sensing system suitable, for example, for atomic force microscopy. This system includes a rocking beam, a base, and means for supporting the beam adjacent a surface of the base such that the beam can pivot about at least one axis parallel to the base surface. In contrast to rocking-beam systems of the prior art, the support means comprise at least one pivot element that can be held against the base surface by a magnetic field.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A force-sensing system which comprises:
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a) a base member having a principal surface at least a portion of which is substantially planar and electrically conductive; b) a rocker element having a principal surface at least a portion of which is substantially planar and electrically conductive; c) at least one pivot element for supporting the rocker element on the base member such that;
said base-surface portion faces said rocker-surface portion, the rocker element can be tilted about at least one axis parallel to said base-surface portion; and
at least one capacitance is defined between said base-surface portion and said rocker-surface portion; andd) means for controlling the capacitance; characterized in that e) the pivot element comprises magnetic material; and f) the force-sensing system further comprises means for providing a magnetic field adapted to hold the pivot element against the base principal surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification