Probe scanning apparatus
First Claim
1. A probe scanning apparatus for use in a device for measuring the shape of a surface or the physical properties of a sample, the probe scanning apparatus comprising:
- a probe;
voice coil motors for generating a moving force in each of three directions x, y and z upon activation thereof; and
probe supporting means mounted for movement in the three directions x, y and z by the moving forces generated by the voice coil motors upon activation thereof to effect coarse/fine movement of the probe in the direction z and to scan the probe in the directions x and y, the probe supporting means having a thinner tube portion and a thicker tube portion extending in the direction z, wherein the probe is scanned in the directions x and y by applying the moving forces generated by the x- and y-direction voice coil motors in the directions x and y to a portion of the thicker tube portion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A probe scanning apparatus for use in a device for measuring the shape of a surface or the physical properties of a sample comprises a probe and voice coil motors for generating a moving force for moving the probe in each of three directions x, y and z upon activation of the voice coil motors. A probe supporting mechanism is mounted for movement in the three directions x, y and z by the moving forces generated by the voice coil motors upon activation thereof to effect coarse/fine movement of the probe in the direction z and to scan the probe in the directions x and y.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A probe scanning apparatus for use in a device for measuring the shape of a surface or the physical properties of a sample, the probe scanning apparatus comprising:
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a probe; voice coil motors for generating a moving force in each of three directions x, y and z upon activation thereof; and probe supporting means mounted for movement in the three directions x, y and z by the moving forces generated by the voice coil motors upon activation thereof to effect coarse/fine movement of the probe in the direction z and to scan the probe in the directions x and y, the probe supporting means having a thinner tube portion and a thicker tube portion extending in the direction z, wherein the probe is scanned in the directions x and y by applying the moving forces generated by the x- and y-direction voice coil motors in the directions x and y to a portion of the thicker tube portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A probe scanning apparatus for use in a device for measuring the shape of a surface or the physical properties of a sample, the probe scanning apparatus comprising:
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a probe; voice coil motors for generating a moving force in each of three directions x, y and z; probe supporting means mounted for movement in the three directions x, y and z by the moving forces generated by the voice coil motors to effect corresponding movement of the probe; and zooming means for realizing a zooming function by limiting the moving range of the probe supporting means. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A probe scanning apparaturs for use in a device for measuring the shape of a surface or the physical properties of a sample, the probe scanning apparatus comprising:
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a probe; voice coil motors for generating a moving force in each of three direction x, y and z upon activation thereof; and probe supporting means mounted for movement in the three directions x, y and z by the moving forces generated by the voice coil motors upon activation thereof to effect coarse/fine movement of the probe in the direction z and to scan the probe in the directions x and y, the probe supporting means having a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion extending in the direction z, and a probe supporting member supported through a viscous element by the second tubular portion, the second tubular portion having a diameter greater than that of the first tubular portion. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A probe scanning apparatus for use in a device for measuring the shape of a surface or the physical properties of a sample, the probe scanning apparatus comprising:
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a probe; voice coil motors for generating a moving force in each of three directions x, y and z upon activation thereof; probe supporting means mounted for movement in the three directions x, y and z by the moving forces generated by the voice coil motors upon activation thereof to effect coarse/fine movement of the probe in the direction z and to scan the probe in the directions x and y, the probe supporting means having a tubular support member mounted for movement in the direction z; and first, second and third rods for connecting the probe supporting means to the voice coil motors and mounted for respective movement in the directions x, y and by the moving forces generated by the voice coil motors upon activation thereof, the third rod being supported by the tubular support member of the probe supporting means through spring elements and a viscous element to control movement of the tubular support member in the direction z. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification