Abstract: A cantilever (30) for an ultrasound acoustic microscopy device is provided comprising a transmission tip (31) to contact a sample (11) to therewith transmit an ultrasound acoustic signal as an ultrasound acoustic wave into the sample. The cantilever further comprises a reception tip (32) separate from the transmission tip (31) to contact the sample to receive an acoustic signal resulting from reflections of the ultrasound wave from within the sample.

Abstract: An ultrasound sub-surface probe microscopy device (1) is provided comprising a stage (10), a signal generator (20), a scanning head (30), a signal processor (50) and a scanning mechanism (16). In use, the stage (10) carries a sample (11) and the scanning M mechanism (16) provides for a relative displacement between the sample (11) and the scanning head (30), along the surface of the sample. The scanning head (30) comprises an actuator (31) configured to generate in response to a drive signal (Sdr) from the signal generator (20) an ultrasound acoustic input signal (Iac). The generated ultrasound acoustic input signal (Iac) has at least one acoustic input signal component (Iac1) with a first angular frequency (?1). The scanning head (30) further comprises a tip (32) to transmit the acoustic input signal (Iac) through a tip-sample interface (12) as an acoustic wave (Wac) into the sample.

Abstract: The present document relates to a heterodyne scanning probe microscopy (SPM) method for subsurface imaging, and includes: applying, using a transducer, an acoustic input signal to the sample, wherein the acoustic input signal has a frequency of at least 1 gigahertz; sensing an acoustic output signal using a probe, the probe including a cantilever and a probe tip, wherein the probe tip is in contact with the surface, wherein the acoustic output signal is representative of acoustic waves responsive to the acoustic input signal that are measurable at the surface; wherein the acoustic input signal is applied to the sample comprising a distinct pulse of acoustic energy followed by a relaxation period, wherein an acoustic power of the acoustic input signal during the pulse is at least twice as large as an acoustic power during the relaxation period. The present document further relates to a scanning probe microscopy method.

Abstract: A cantilever (30) for an ultrasound acoustic microscopy device is provided comprising a transmission tip (31) to contact a sample (11) to therewith transmit an ultrasound acoustic signal as an ultrasound acoustic wave into the sample. The cantilever further comprises a reception tip (32) separate from the transmission tip (31) to contact the sample to receive an acoustic signal resulting from reflections of the ultrasound wave from within the sample.