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Apparatus for microindentation hardness testing and surface imaging incorporating a multi-plate capacitor system

DC
  • US 5,553,486 A
  • Filed: 10/24/1994
  • Issued: 09/10/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a scanned probe microscope apparatus having a probe and a scanning head arranged for operative engagement of a surface of a sample for measuring a surface topography thereof, the improvement comprising:

  • a. said probe having a hardness greater than a sample to be tested;

    b. a force sensor operatively located to measure the force between said sample and said probe, said force sensor having an output signal, wherein said force sensor includes,i. a pair of capacitive transducers, each transducer including a separate drive plate, the first of said drive plates having a hole centrally disposed therethrough, and a shared pick-up plate, said pick-up plate positioned between said separate drive plates and separated from each drive plate by an insulating spacer, said drive plates having spaced opposing conductive surfaces when said pick-up plate is mounted therebetween, said pick-up plate further including a conductive central plate suspended by spring means between said drive plates, wherein said central plate is capable of deflection between the conductive surfaces of each of said drive plates; and

    ii. means for transmitting force from a point remote from said central plate to said central portion; and

    c. means for measuring the output signal of said force sensor and utilizing said output signal to control a vertical movement of said scanning head to maintain a constant force on a sample as said surface topography is measured.

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