A multi-tip nano-probe apparatus and a method for probing a sample while using the multi-tip nano-probe apparatus each employ located over a substrate: (1) an immovable probe tip with respect to the substrate; (2) a movable probe tip with respect to the substrate; and (3) a motion sensor that is coupled with the movable probe tip. The multi-tip nano-probe apparatus and related method provide for improved sample probing due to close coupling of the motion sensor with the movable probe tip, and also retractability of the movable probe tip with respect to the immovable probe tip.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for automatically controlling and stabilizing aspects of a scanning probe microscope (SPM), such as an atomic force microscope (AFM), using Peak Force Tapping (PFT) Mode. In an embodiment, a controller automatically controls periodic motion of a probe relative to a sample in response to a substantially instantaneous force determined and automatically controls a gain in a feedback loop. A gain control circuit automatically tunes a gain based on separation distances between a probe and a sample to facilitate stability. Accordingly, instability onset is quickly and accurately determined during scanning, thereby eliminating the need of expert user tuning of gains during operation.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for automatically controlling and stabilizing aspects of a scanning probe microscope (SPM), such as an atomic force microscope (AFM), using Peak Force Tapping (PFT) Mode. In an embodiment, a controller automatically controls periodic motion of a probe relative to a sample in response to a substantially instantaneous force determined and automatically controls a gain in a feedback loop. A gain control circuit automatically tunes a gain based on separation distances between a probe and a sample to facilitate stability. Accordingly, instability onset is quickly and accurately determined during scanning, thereby eliminating the need of expert user tuning of gains during operation.

A three-dimensional fine movement device includes a moving body, a fixation member to which the moving body is fixed, a three-dimensional fine movement unit, to which the fixation member is fixed, and which allows for three-dimensional fine movement of the moving body with the fixation member interposed therebetween, a base member to which the three-dimensional fine movement unit is fixed, and movement amount detecting means that is fixed to the base member to detect a movement amount of the fixation member.

The atomic force microscope has evolved from purely a qualitative apparatus that measures the topography of a sample into a quantitative tool that also measures mechanical properties of a sample at the nanoscale. Prior technologies that attempt to measure the bulk parameters must characterize the geometry of the atomic force microscope cantilever tip in a separate experiment before being able to measure the mechanical properties of the sample. This is the single biggest obstruction to the accuracy and expediency of quantitative atomic force microscopy methodologies. Present techniques are also unable to probe the full set of viscoelastic properties of a material as they do not include any method to measure the damping of samples. We propose a method herein that simultaneously circumvents the need for a separate experiment to characterize the tip geometry and measures the full set of viscoelastic properties of a material.

The atomic force microscope has evolved from purely a qualitative apparatus that measures the topography of a sample into a quantitative tool that also measures mechanical properties of a sample at the nanoscale. Prior technologies that attempt to measure the bulk parameters must characterize the geometry of the atomic force microscope cantilever tip in a separate experiment before being able to measure the mechanical properties of the sample. This is the single biggest obstruction to the accuracy and expediency of quantitative atomic force microscopy methodologies. Present techniques are also unable to probe the full set of viscoelastic properties of a material as they do not include any method to measure the damping of samples. We propose a method herein that simultaneously circumvents the need for a separate experiment to characterize the tip geometry and measures the full set of viscoelastic properties of a material.

A probe tip landing method for a measurement system is provided. The probe tip landing method includes performing a first descending operation to lower a probe toward a sample by a first descending distance; performing a second descending operation to lower the probe toward the sample; and performing an inspection operation during the second descending operation. The inspection operation includes an imaging operation, scanning the sample to obtain a first image including a probe tip of the probe; and a determining operation, checking the first image to determine that in the first image, whether a region connected with the probe tip becomes bright. The probe tip landing method further includes in response to the region connected with the probe tip in the first image becoming bright, determining that the probe has contacted a surface of the sample and the probe has landed successfully.

A probe tip landing method for a measurement system is provided. The probe tip landing method includes performing a first descending operation to lower a probe toward a sample by a first descending distance; performing a second descending operation to lower the probe toward the sample; and performing an inspection operation during the second descending operation. The inspection operation includes an imaging operation, scanning the sample to obtain a first image including a probe tip of the probe; and a determining operation, checking the first image to determine that in the first image, whether a region connected with the probe tip becomes bright. The probe tip landing method further includes in response to the region connected with the probe tip in the first image becoming bright, determining that the probe has contacted a surface of the sample and the probe has landed successfully.

A detection device having an attached probe, the detection device including a base body (100) and a probe (200). The base body (100) is provided with a stage (140), the probe (200) is provided with a probe base body (210) and a tip (220) extending from a side surface of one end of the probe base body (210), another end of the probe base body (210) is adhered to the base body (100) via an adhesion piece (230), the probe base body (210) can be removed from the base body (100), and the tip (220) is close to the stage (140) and deployed in the direction thereof. The probe base body (210) is directly attached to the base body (100) and easily removed therefrom. It is therefore easy to replace the probe (200).

Measuring a topographic profile and/or a topographic image of a surface of a sample includes positioning an indenter out of contact with a sample and in a constant position with respect to a headstock; positioning a topographic tip to detect a surface of the sample and positioning a reference structure at a predetermined distance from said surface; measuring the relative position of the indenter with respect to the reference structure by a relative position sensor; translating said sample perpendicular to said longitudinal axis while maintaining the reference structure at said predetermined distance from the surface of the sample by the feedback control system and the second actuator while measuring the relative position of the indenter with respect to the reference structure by the relative position sensor; and generating a topographic profile and/or a topographic image based on measurements of the relative position.