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.

The present invention relates to a scanning probe microscope having: (a) a scan unit embodied to scan a measuring probe over a sample surface in a step-in scan mode; and (b) a self-oscillation circuit arrangement configured to excite the measuring probe to a natural oscillation during the step-in scan mode.

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.

Device and system for characterizing samples using multiple integrated tips scanning probe microscopy. Multiple Integrated Tips (MiT) probes are comprised of two or more monolithically integrated and movable AFM tips positioned to within nm of each other, enabling unprecedented micro to nanoscale probing functionality in vacuum or ambient conditions. The tip structure is combined with capacitive comb structures offering laserless high-resolution electric-in electric-out actuation and sensing capability and novel integration with a Junction Field Effect Transistor for signal amplification and low-noise operation. This platform-on-a-chip approach is a paradigm shift relative to current technology based on single tips functionalized using stacks of supporting gear: lasers, nano-positioners and electronics.

A method for inspecting a nozzle includes producing a jet from the nozzle, moving the nozzle to cause the jet to approach a stylus of a touch probe, generating a contact signal under a force acting on the stylus, and determining that the jet is appropriate in response to a contact signal received first after the jet has an axis at a distance from the stylus that is equal to or less than a first normal distance calculated from a normal jet shape.

Method and system for performing characterization of a sample using an atomic force microscopy system. An actuation signal is provided to a photo-thermal actuator which is configured to excite the probe by means of an optical excitation beam incident on the cantilever. The probe is configured to be bendable by means of the optical excitation beam impinging on it. The actuation signal is configured to include at least one modulation frequency. The probe tip motion is monitored for determining at least a subsurface characterization data.

A measuring device for a scanning probe microscope including a sample receptacle configured to receive a sample; a measuring probe which is arranged on a probe holder and has a probe tip; a displacement device which moves the measuring probe and the sample receptacle relative to each other; a control device which is connected to the displacement device and controls the relative movement between the measuring probe and the sample receptacle; and a sensor device which is configured to detect, movement measurement signals during an absolute measurement for a movement of the measuring probe and/or a movement of the sample receptacle. The movement measurement signals are relayed to the control device. The control device is configured to control the relative movement. The invention also provides a scanning probe microscope, as well as a method for examining a sample.

A device for microscopically precise positioning and guidance of a measurement or manipulation element in at least two spatial axes, comprising an outer base with side walls defining a base interior, and an xy-stage having side walls and mounting means for at least one measurement or manipulation element, the xy-stage being arranged inside of the base interior and being displaceable in an XY-plane relative to the outer base. The xy-stage is coupled to the outer base with bending elements, and with actuators designed for displacing the xy-stage relative to the outer base. The outer base is provided with at least one stiffening element rigidly connected to the side walls of the outer base, and/or that the xy-stage is provided with at least one stiffening element rigidly connected to the side walls of the xy-stage.

To avoid applying overload on both a probe and a sample surface, and to reduce time for measuring irregular shapes on the sample surface in performing an intermittent measurement method, provided is a scanning probe microscope including: a cantilever having a probe attached thereto, the scanning probe microscope being configured to scan a sample surface by intermittently bringing the probe into contact with the sample surface; and a control device configured to perform a first operation of bringing the probe and the sample surface into contact with each other, and a second operation of separating the probe and the sample surface from each other after the first operation. The control device executes the second operation by thermally deforming the cantilever.

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.