Abstract: A method of scanning a sample with a scanning probe system, the scanning probe system comprising a probe comprising a cantilever extending from a base to a free end, and a probe tip carried by the free end of the cantilever, the method comprising using the probe to measure an electrostatic interaction between the sample and the probe; and after measuring the electrostatic interaction between the sample and the probe, scanning the sample with the probe while simultaneously applying a bias voltage to the scanning probe system, the applied bias voltage based on the measured electrostatic interaction between the sample and the probe.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a probe laterally across a surface so that the probe follows a scanning motion across the surface and steering a detection beam onto the probe via a steering mirror, the detection beam reflecting from the probe in the form of a return beam. The method also includes moving the steering mirror so that the detection beam follows a tracking motion which is synchronous with the scanning motion and the detection beam remains steered onto the probe by the steering mirror and using the return beam to obtain image measurements, each indicative of a measured height of a respective point on the surface. An associated height error measurement is obtained for each point on the surface, each measurement being indicative of a respective error in the measured height. The height error measurements are used to correct the image measurements so as to generate corrected image measurements.

Abstract: A method of scanning a feature with a probe, the probe comprising a cantilever mount, a cantilever extending from the cantilever mount to a free end, and a probe tip carried by the free end of the cantilever. An orientation of the probe is measured relative to a reference surface to generate a probe orientation measurement. The reference surface defines a reference surface axis which is normal to the reference surface and the probe tip has a reference tilt angle relative to the reference surface axis. A shape of the cantilever is changed in accordance with the probe orientation measurement so that the probe tip moves relative to the cantilever mount and the reference tilt angle decreases from a first reference tilt angle to a second reference tilt angle. A sample surface is scanned with the probe, wherein the sample surface defines a sample surface axis which is normal to the sample surface and the probe tip has a scanning tilt angle relative to the sample surface axis.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A scanning probe system with a probe comprising a cantilever extending from a base to a free end, and a probe tip carried by the free end of the cantilever. A first driver is provided with a first driver input, the first driver arranged to drive the probe in accordance with a first drive signal at the first driver input. A second driver is provided with a second driver input, the second driver arranged to drive the probe in accordance with a second drive signal at the second driver input. A control system is arranged to control the first drive signal so that the first driver drives the base of the cantilever repeatedly towards and away from a surface of a sample in a series of cycles. A surface detector arranged to generate a surface signal for each cycle when it detects an interaction of the probe tip with the surface of the sample.

Abstract: A scanning probe system with a probe comprising a cantilever extending from a base to a free end, and a probe tip carried by the free end of the cantilever. A first driver is provided with a first driver input, the first driver arranged to drive the probe in accordance with a first drive signal at the first driver input. A second driver is provided with a second driver input, the second driver arranged to drive the probe in accordance with a second drive signal at the second driver input. A control system is arranged to control the first drive signal so that the first driver drives the base of the cantilever repeatedly towards and away from a surface of a sample in a series of cycles. A surface detector arranged to generate a surface signal for each cycle when it detects an interaction of the probe tip with the surface of the sample.

Abstract: A method of performing a measurement routine on a probe, the probe comprising a cantilever extending from a support. An interferometer is operated to reflect a sensing beam with the cantilever thereby generating a reflected sensing beam and combine the reflected sensing beam with a reference beam to generate an interferogram. The interferometer generates a first interference measurement value at a first measurement time by measuring the interferogram and a second interference measurement value at a second measurement time by measuring the interferogram, The cantilever deforms to form a different shape between the measurement times. A change in height of the probe between the measurement times is estimated in accordance with a difference between the first and second interference measurement values, and corrected in accordance with the difference in shape of the cantilever between the measurement times.

Abstract: A measurement system comprising: a radiation source arranged to generated a detection beam; a probe; and a probe positioning system arranged to move the probe from an un-aligned position in which it is not illuminated by the detection beam, to an aligned position in which it is illuminated by the detection beam and the detection beam is reflected by the probe to generate a reflected detection beam. A scanner generates a relative scanning motion between the probe and a sample, the sample being aligned with the probe and interacting with the probe during the relative scanning motion. A sensor detects the reflected detection beam during the relative scanning motion to collect a first data set from the sample. A second device is provided for modifying the sample or obtaining a second data set from the sample. A sample stage is arranged to move the sample in accordance with an offset vector stored in a memory so that it becomes un-aligned from the probe and aligned with the second device.

Abstract: A method of operating a scanning probe system that includes a probe support and probes carried by the probe support is disclosed. Each probe includes a cantilever extending from the support to a free end and a tip carried by the free end. The system is operated to perform interaction cycles, each including in an approach phase, moving the support so that the tips move together towards the sample surface; in a detection step, generating a surface signal on detection of an interaction of the tip(s) of a first subset of the probes with the sample surface before the rest of the probes have interacted with the sample; in a response step changing a shape of the cantilever(s) of the first subset in response to the generation of the surface signal; and in a retract phase moving the support so that the tips retract together away from the sample surface.

Abstract: A probe actuation system has a detection system arranged to measure a position or angle of a probe to generate a detection signal. An illumination system is arranged to illuminate the probe. Varying the illumination of the probe causes the probe to deform which in turn causes the detection signal to vary. A probe controller is arranged to generate a desired value which varies with time. A feedback controller is arranged to vary the illumination of the probe according to the detection signal and the desired value so that the detection signal is driven towards the desired value. The probe controller receives as its inputs a detection signal and a desired value, but unlike conventional feedback systems this desired value varies with time. Such a time-varying desired value enables the probe to be driven so that it follows a trajectory with a predetermined speed. A position or angle of the probe is measured to generate the detection signal and the desired value represents a desired position or angle of the probe.

Abstract: A probe system including a probe with first and second arms and a probe tip carried by the first and second arms, the probe tip having a height and a tilt angle; an illumination system arranged to deform the probe by illuminating the first arm at a first actuation location and the second arm at a second actuation location each with a respective illumination power; and an actuation controller arranged to independently control the illumination power at each actuation location in order to control the height and tilt angle of the probe tip.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope system. A sample stage is provided along with a microscope arranged to collect data with a probe carried by the microscope from a sample carried by the sample stage. A probe/sample exchange mechanism is arranged to exchange the probe carried by the microscope with a new probe, and is also arranged to exchange the sample carried by the sample stage with a new sample.

Abstract: A method of detecting the positions of a plurality of probes. An input beam is directed into an optical device and transformed into a plurality of output beamlets which are not parallel with each other. Each output beamlet is split into a sensing beamlet and an associated reference beamlet. Each of the sensing beamlets is directed onto an associated one of the probes with an objective lens to generate a reflected beamlet which is combined with its associated reference beamlet to generate an interferogram. Each interferogram is measured to determine the position of an associated one of the probes. A similar method is used to actuate a plurality of probes. A scanning motion is generated between the probes and the sample. An input beam is directed into an optical device and transformed into a plurality of actuation beamlets which are not parallel with each other.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope comprising: a signal generator providing a drive signal for an actuator to move a probe repeatedly towards and away from a sample. In response to the detection of an interaction of the probe with the sample the drive signal is modified to cause the probe to move away from the sample. The drive signal comprises an approach phase in which an intensity of the drive signal increases to a maximum value; and a retract phase in which the intensity of the drive signal reduces from the maximum value to a minimum value in response to the detection of the surface position. The intensity of the drive signal is held at the minimum value during the retract phase and then increased at the end of the retract phase. The duration of the retract phase is dependent on the maximum value in the approach phase.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope comprising a probe that is mechanically responsive to a driving force. A signal generator provides a drive signal to an actuator that generates the driving force, the drive signal being such as to cause the actuator to move the probe repeatedly towards and away from a sample. A detection system is arranged to output a height signal indicative of a path difference between light reflected from the probe and a height reference beam. Image processing apparatus is arranged to use the height signal to form an image of the sample. Signal processing apparatus is arranged to monitor the probe as the probe approaches a sample and to detect a surface position at which the probe interacts with the sample. In response to detection of the surface position, the signal processing apparatus prompts the signal generator to modify the drive signal.

Abstract: Various methods of driving a probe of a scanning probe microscope are disclosed. One set of methods distribute the energy of a radiation beam over a wide area of the probe by either scanning the beam or increasing its illumination area. Another method changes the intensity profile of the radiation beam with a diffractive optical element, enabling a more uniform intensity profile across the width of the illumination. Another method uses a diffractive optical element to change the circumferential shape of the radiation beam, and hence the shape of the area illuminated on the probe, in order to match the shape of the probe and hence distribute the energy over a wider area.

Abstract: A method of actuating a plurality of probes. Each probe may be made of two or more materials with different thermal expansion coefficients which are arranged such that when the probe is illuminated by an actuation beam it deforms to move the probe relative to a sample. Energy is delivered to the probes by sequentially illuminating them with an actuation beam via an objective lens in a series of scan sequences. Two or more of the probes are illuminated by the actuation beam in each scan sequence and the actuation beam enters the objective lens at a different angle to an optical axis of the objective lens for each probe which is illuminated in a scan sequence. The actuation beam is controlled so that different amounts of energy are delivered to at least two of the probes by the actuation beam during at least one of the scan sequences.

Abstract: A method of actuating a plurality of probes by delivering photothermal energy to the probes so that the probes are heated and deform relative to a sample. The photothermal energy is delivered to the probes by: directing an input beam into an optical device; transforming the input beam with the optical device into a plurality of actuation beamlets which are not parallel with each other; and scanning the actuation beamlets across the probes, optionally via an objective lens. A spacing between the actuation beamlets is different to a spacing between the probes so that only a subset (typically only one) of the actuation beamlets illuminates a probe at any instant. As the actuation beamlets scan across the probes the probes are illuminated in an illumination sequence. The actuation beamlets are controlled so that different amounts of photothermal energy are delivered to at least two of the probes during the illumination sequence.

Abstract: A method of driving a probe of a scanning probe microscope. The intensities of first and second radiation beams are modulated; and the beams are directed simultaneously onto the probe whereby each beam heats the probe and causes the probe to deform, typically by the photothermal effect. The optical system is arranged to direct the centers of the beams onto different locations on the probe. This enables the location of each beam to be chosen to optimize its effect. A lens receives the first and second beams and focuses them onto the probe. A beam combiner is arranged to receive and combine the beams and direct the combined beams towards the probe.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating a probe of a probe microscope. A lens is arranged to receive a beam and focus it onto the probe. A scanning system varies over time the angle of incidence at which the beam enters the lens relative to its optical axis. The scanning system is typically arranged to move the beam so as to track movement of the probe, thereby maintaining the location on the probe at which the beam is focused. The scanning system may comprise a beam steering mirror which reflects the beam towards the lens; and a mirror actuator for rotating the beam steering mirror.