Abstract: A cell detachment method for detaching only a desired cell from a plurality of cells cultured on a substrate under predetermined culture environment conditions by using a scanning probe microscope having a probe, comprising: observing the plural cells; specifying the cell to be detached; moving the probe onto the specified cell; and pressing the prove against the specified cell with a predetermined force so as to detach the cell from the substrate.

Abstract: A cantilever includes: a lever portion; a holder portion supporting the proximal end of the lever portion; a probe portion arranged at the distal end of the lever portion and having a spherical surface to face a sample; and a retaining portion fixed to the distal end of the lever portion and retaining the probe portion to surround a periphery of the probe portion. There is provided a cantilever allowing mounting of a probe portion with little effect in a short time without using any adhesive.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope has a probe needle and a control section that controls relative scanning movement between the probe needle and a surface of a sample in at least one direction parallel to the sample surface and controls relative movement between the probe needle and the sample surface in a direction perpendicular to the sample surface. A vibration source vibrates the probe needle at a vibrating frequency relative to the sample surface. An approach/separation drive section causes the probe needle to relatively approach to and separate from the sample surface at a predetermined distance while the probe needle is vibrated at the vibrating frequency relative to the sample surface by the vibration source. A detection section detects a rate of change in a vibration state of the probe needle in accordance with a distance between the probe needle and the sample surface.

Abstract: A cell detachment method for detaching only a desired cell from a plurality of cells cultured on a substrate under predetermined culture environment conditions by using a scanning probe microscope having a probe, comprising: observing the plural cells; specifying the cell to be detached; moving the probe onto the specified cell; and pressing the prove against the specified cell with a predetermined force so as to detach the cell from the substrate.

Abstract: A cantilever includes: a lever portion; a holder portion supporting the proximal end of the lever portion; a probe portion arranged at the distal end of the lever portion and having a spherical surface to face a sample; and a retaining portion fixed to the distal end of the lever portion and retaining the probe portion to surround a periphery of the probe portion. There is provided a cantilever allowing mounting of a probe portion with little effect in a short time without using any adhesive.

Abstract: A living cell observing cell capable of measuring a surface of a membrane of a living cell or a rear surface side thereof and accurately performing structural analysis is provided. The living cell observing cell is used to culture at least one cell in a culture solution and observe the cells. The living cell observing cell includes a container body which stores the culturing solution and a flat location plate which is detachably fixed in the container body and has a plurality of protrusions formed in a predetermined interval on a surface thereof, wherein the cells are located on a plurality of the protrusions.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscopy system has a cantilever having a probe at a distal end thereof and a heating unit for heating the sample. A moving unit effects relative movement between the cantilever probe and the sample to bring the cantilever probe into contact with a surface of the sample for measuring a property of the sample. A shielding unit shields between the cantilever probe and the sample during heating of the sample by the heating unit.

Abstract: In order to provide a scanning probe microscope and a scanning method which are capable of accurately approaching or contacting a probe needle and a sample surface irrespective of an irregularities shape of the sample surface, it comprises a probe needle 2 for relatively performing, with respect to a sample surface S, scans in two directions parallel to the sample surface S and a movement in a perpendicular direction of the sample surface S, a detection means 4 for detecting a measurement amount changing in compliance with a distance between the probe needle 2 and the sample surface S, an observation means 6 for gathering an observation data in a point of time at which the probe needle 2 has approached to or contacted with the sample surface S, a control means 5 for controlling the sans in the two directions and the movement in the perpendicular direction and an approach/separation drive section 24 for causing the probe needle 2 to relatively approach to and separate from the sample surface S at a predetermin

Abstract: The present invention provides a scanning probe microscopy which can measure and keep the shape of a sample surface and the physical properties of the sample at high resolution even when an evaporable component is evaporated from a substance to be heated when the sample is heated, and can measure variations in physical properties at every heated temperature without causing thermal history on the sample. The scanning probe microscopy includes a cantilever having a probe at the distal end thereof; a heating unit for heating the sample; a sample moving unit for moving the sample; and a shielding unit for shielding between the cantilever and the sample, and when heating the sample, the shielding unit is interposed between the cantilever and the sample, and when measuring the sample, the shielding unit is not interposed between the cantilever and the sample.