The present document relates to a Z-position motion stage for use in a scanning probe microscopy system. The stage comprises a support element for mounting the z-position motion stage on a scan head, and at least one first actuator mounted on the support element for enabling motion of a probe of the scanning probe microscopy system. The probe is connected to or attachable to the z-position motion stage. The support element and the at least one first actuator are shaped and mounted such as to form a rotation symmetric element which is rotation symmetric around a notional common longitudinal axis. The document further relates to a scan head, a method of manufacturing a z-position motion stage, and a Z-position motion stage obtained with such a method.

The present document relates to a Z-position motion stage for use in a scanning probe microscopy system. The stage comprises a support element for mounting the z-position motion stage on a scan head, and at least one first actuator mounted on the support element for enabling motion of a probe of the scanning probe microscopy system. The probe is connected to or attachable to the z-position motion stage. The support element and the at least one first actuator are shaped and mounted such as to form a rotation symmetric element which is rotation symmetric around a notional common longitudinal axis. The document further relates to a scan head, a method of manufacturing a z-position motion stage, and a Z-position motion stage obtained with such a method.

It is intended to save time for adjusting a position of a detection unit. In a position adjustment process of a detector, a control device moves the detector obliquely with respect to a boundary line partitioning photodiodes on a plane on which the detector moves and moves the detector so that the position of the center of gravity of a spot of a laser beam and the center of a light-receiving surface coincide in response to the incident of at least a part of the laser beam on the light-receiving surface.

It is intended to save time for adjusting a position of a detection unit. In a position adjustment process of a detector, a control device moves the detector obliquely with respect to a boundary line partitioning photodiodes on a plane on which the detector moves and moves the detector so that the position of the center of gravity of a spot of a laser beam and the center of a light-receiving surface coincide in response to the incident of at least a part of the laser beam on the light-receiving surface.

An atomic-force-microscope-based apparatus and method including hardware and software, configured to collect, in a dynamic fashion, and analyze data representing mechanical properties of soft materials on a nanoscale, to map viscoelastic properties of a soft-material sample. The use of the apparatus as an addition to the existing atomic-force microscope device.

An atomic-force-microscope-based apparatus and method including hardware and software, configured to collect, in a dynamic fashion, and analyze data representing mechanical properties of soft materials on a nanoscale, to map viscoelastic properties of a soft-material sample. The use of the apparatus as an addition to the existing atomic-force microscope device.

The present invention relates to a micro-optomechanical system (500) and to a method for the production thereof. The micro-optomechanical system (500) comprises at least one optical subsystem (100) configured for emitting at least one optical actuator signal (212) and for receiving at least one optical sensor signal (211); and at least one optomechanical structure (150) which is producible in direct contact with the optical subsystem (100) by means of a direct writing microstructuring method, wherein the optical subsystem (100) comprises at least one optical actuation element (219) and at least one optical sensor element (140), wherein the optical actuator signal (212) in interaction with the optical actuation element (219) is configured for changing a mechanical state of the optomechanical structure (150), and wherein the optical sensor signal (211) in interaction with the optical sensor element (140) is configured for detecting the change in the mechanical state of the optomechanical structure (150) or a variable related thereto.

The micro-optomechanical systems (500) provided have virtually any desired shaping in conjunction with very high resolution and are therefore suitable for a wide range of applications.

A driving mechanism relatively displaces a measuring unit and a sample table such that a relative positional relationship between the measuring unit and the sample table is switched between a first positional relationship and a second positional relationship. In the second positional relationship, the sample table is exposed to the outside from within a lower housing. A controller includes a high voltage generation circuit that generates a high voltage to be supplied to a scanner. A first mechanical switch causes a power supply not to supply a voltage to the high voltage generation circuit in the second positional relationship.

A scanning probe microscope with a first actuator (3) configured to move a feature in the form of a tip (2) so that the feature follows a scanning motion. A vision system (10) is configured to collect light from a field of view to generate image data. The field of view includes the feature and the light from the field of view travels from the feature to the vision system via the steering element (13). A tracking control system (15)bis configured to generate one or more tracking drive signals in accordance with stored reference data. A second actuator (14) is configured to receive the one or more tracking drive signals and move the steering element on the basis of the one or more tracking drive signals so that the field of view follows a tracking motion which is synchronous with the scanning motion and the feature remains within the field of view. An image analysis system (20) is configured to analyse the image data from the vision system to identify the feature and measure an apparent motion of the feature relative to the field of view. A calibration system is configured to adjust the stored reference data based on the apparent motion measured by the image analysis system.

Illustrative embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a substrate comprising a cantilever, a bottom electrode on the substrate, a bottom piezoelectric transducer on the bottom electrode such that the bottom electrode is between the substrate and the bottom piezoelectric transducer, a middle electrode on the bottom piezoelectric transducer such that the bottom piezoelectric transducer is between the bottom electrode and the middle electrode, a top piezoelectric transducer on the middle electrode such that the middle electrode is between the bottom piezoelectric transducer and the top piezoelectric transducer, and a top electrode on the top piezoelectric transducer, such that the top piezoelectric transducer is between the middle electrode and the top electrode. Illustrative embodiments also provide a method of making the apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for atomic force microscopy.