Scanning probe microscope and solenoid driven cantilever assembly
First Claim
1. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope comprising:
- a sample stage defining an upper surface and a lower surface;
a scanning probe microscope configured to examine a surface of a sample supported by said upper surface of said sample stage from above said sample stage;
an optical microscope configured to examine a sample supported by said upper surface of said sample stage from below said sample stage;
a microscope coupling mechanically coupling elements of said scanning probe microscope to elements of said optical microscope; and
a sample stage support configured to isolate said sample stage from said optical microscope, wherein said sample stage, said scanning probe microscope, and said sample stage support define relatively high frequency mechanical resonances, said optical microscope defines relatively low frequency mechanical resonances, and said microscope coupling, said sample stage, and said sample stage support are arranged to inhibit differential motion between said sample stage and said scanning probe microscope in the event of low frequency vibrations in said optical microscope.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combined scanning probe and optical microscope is provided. The microscope comprises a sample stage, a scanning probe microscope, an optical microscope, a microscope coupling, and a sample stage support. The microscope coupling, the sample stage, and the sample stage support are arranged to inhibit relative motion between the sample stage and the scanning probe microscope in the event of simultaneous low frequency vibrations in the optical microscope and high frequency vibrations in the scanning probe microscope. In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention scanning probe microscopes are provided comprising a slide-mounted stage assembly, a solenoid unit positioned above the cantilever unit of the probe, and a specialized solenoid driven cantilever assembly.
22 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope comprising:
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a sample stage defining an upper surface and a lower surface;
a scanning probe microscope configured to examine a surface of a sample supported by said upper surface of said sample stage from above said sample stage;
an optical microscope configured to examine a sample supported by said upper surface of said sample stage from below said sample stage;
a microscope coupling mechanically coupling elements of said scanning probe microscope to elements of said optical microscope; and
a sample stage support configured to isolate said sample stage from said optical microscope, wherein said sample stage, said scanning probe microscope, and said sample stage support define relatively high frequency mechanical resonances, said optical microscope defines relatively low frequency mechanical resonances, and said microscope coupling, said sample stage, and said sample stage support are arranged to inhibit differential motion between said sample stage and said scanning probe microscope in the event of low frequency vibrations in said optical microscope. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
a flexible cantilever having a free end and a confined end; and
a probe tip defined at said free end of said flexible cantilever.
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16. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a solenoid unit positioned above said cantilever unit and comprising a magnetic core and a solenoid winding, wherein said solenoid unit is configured to cause movement of said free end of said flexible cantilever.
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17. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 16 wherein said cantilever unit is mechanically coupled to said magnetic core of said solenoid unit.
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18. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 16 wherein said cantilever unit is secured proximate to said magnetic core of said solenoid unit.
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19. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 16 wherein said cantilever unit is secured to said magnetic core of said solenoid unit.
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20. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 16 wherein said magnetic core defines an extended portion outside of said solenoid winding and wherein said cantilever unit is mechanically coupled to said extended portion of said magnetic core.
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21. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 16 wherein said solenoid driven cantilever assembly further comprises an optically transparent element arranged to pass light to an upper side of said cantilever unit and wherein said magnetic core and said solenoid winding are positioned above said cantilever unit.
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22. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 16 wherein said solenoid driven cantilever assembly further comprises an optically transparent element arranged to pass light to said free end of said flexible cantilever.
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23. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 22 wherein said solenoid winding is wound about portions of said optically transparent element and said magnetic core.
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24. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 22 wherein said optically transparent element is a glass block or a hollow tube.
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25. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 16 wherein:
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said cantilever unit further comprises a cantilever support chip; and
said cantilever support chip is secured to said magnetic core of said solenoid unit.
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26. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 16 wherein said cantilever unit is releasably secured to said magnetic core.
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27. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 26 wherein said cantilever unit is secured to said magnetic core by means of a spring-loaded strap.
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28. A combined scanning probe and optical microscope as claimed in claim 26 wherein said cantilever unit is secured to said magnetic core by means of a releasable clip.
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29. A scanning probe microscope comprising:
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a sample stage;
a scanning probe microscope supported by a microscope chassis and configured to examine a surface of a sample supported by said sample stage;
a microscope coupling supporting elements of said scanning probe microscope;
a sample stage support configured to suspend said sample stage from said microscope coupling; and
a slide-mounted stage assembly arranged to permit slidable movement of said sample stage and said sample stage support relative to said microscope chassis. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A scanning probe microscope comprising a sample stage, a scanning probe microscope configured to examine a surface of a sample supported by said sample stage, a microscope coupling, and a sample stage support configured to suspend said sample stage from said microscope coupling, wherein said scanning probe microscope includes a solenoid driven cantilever assembly comprising:
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a cantilever unit positioned above said sample stage and comprising a flexible cantilever having a free end and a confined end;
a probe tip defined at said free end of said flexible cantilever; and
a solenoid unit positioned above said cantilever unit and comprising a magnetic core and a solenoid winding, wherein said cantilever unit is secured to said solenoid unit and said solenoid unit is configured to cause movement of said free end of said flexible cantilever. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
said cantilever unit further comprises a cantilever support chip; and
said cantilever support chip is secured to said magnetic core of said solenoid unit.
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43. A scanning probe microscope as claimed in claim 40 wherein said cantilever unit is releasably secured to said magnetic core.
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44. A solenoid driven cantilever assembly comprising:
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a cantilever unit comprising a flexible cantilever having a free end and a confined end;
a probe tip defined at said free end of said flexible cantilever, said probe tip defining an apex on a lower side of said cantilever unit; and
a solenoid unit positioned above said cantilever unit and comprising a magnetic core and a solenoid winding, wherein said cantilever unit is secured to said solenoid unit and said solenoid unit is configured to cause movement of said free end of said flexible cantilever. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
said cantilever unit further comprises a cantilever support chip; and
said cantilever support chip is secured to said magnetic core of said solenoid unit.
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53. A solenoid driven cantilever assembly as claimed in claim 44 wherein said cantilever unit is releasably secured to said magnetic core.
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54. A scanning probe microscope comprising:
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a sample stage;
a scanning probe microscope supported by a microscope chassis and configured to examine a surface of a sample supported by said sample stage;
a microscope coupling supporting elements of said scanning probe microscope;
a sample stage support configured to suspend said sample stage from below said microscope coupling while engaged with said coupling; and
a slide-mounted stage assembly arranged to permit slidable movement of said sample stage and said sample stage support relative to said microscope chassis.
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Specification