Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Patent
1996-09-30
1998-12-08
Westin, Edward P.
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
250306, 73105, H01J 3700
Patent
active
058473831
ABSTRACT:
Light is reflected from a cantilever, and the reflected light, except that part which is reflected from the back of the cantilever, is applied to a light-receiving device. A distance between the probe of the cantilever and a sample is determined in accordance with changes in the light in order to protect both the sample and the probe and to shorten the time the probe requires to reach the sample. The probe is moved toward the sample at high speed until the probe reaches a point close to the sample. A mechanism is provided which detects changes in a probe-displacement signal representing the displacement of the probe. A differentiation section provided in the mechanism differentiates the probe-displacement signal and generates a signal. The signal is supplied to a threshold determination section, which determines whether or not the output signal of the differentiation section exceeds a predetermined threshold value. When the signal is found to exceed the threshold value, an approaching interruption section generates an interruption command, which is supplied to a motor driver, stopping, a motor. As a result, a coarse adjustment mechanism stops moving the prove toward the sample. A voltage at a predetermined level is then immediately applied to a piezoelectric member, causing the piezoelectric member to contract in the Z direction, thereby moving the probe away from the sample.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5103095 (1992-04-01), Elings et al.
patent: 5336887 (1994-08-01), Yagi et al.
patent: 5574278 (1996-11-01), Poirier
patent: 5627815 (1997-05-01), Koyanagi et al.
patent: 5656769 (1997-08-01), Nakano et al.
Lee John R.
Olympus Optical Co,. Ltd.
Westin Edward P.
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