Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is provided with a probe tip directed to a sample surface, an XYZ fine movement mechanism for providing a relative positional change between the sample and the probe tip, and a displacement detecting section for detecting the displacement of the probe tip. The scanning probe microscope measures the surface characteristic of the sample by using a control signal. This control signal is generated on a signal outputted from the displacement detecting section and is used for keeping a state of a mutual action generated between the sample and the probe tip identical to a predetermined state, while the probe tip scans the surface of the sample based on the operation of the XYZ fine movement mechanism.

Abstract: A fine movement mechanism unit is configured by a supporting member, two fixed sections fixed to this supporting member, two pairs of parallel-plate flexural sections disposed between the two fixed sections, an X fine movement mechanism, a Y fine movement mechanism, and a Z fine movement mechanism. The X fine movement mechanism has an X moving section movable in an X direction, connected to each of the two fixed sections through the two pairs of parallel-plate flexural sections, and two X direction piezoelectric actuators causing the X moving section to move. The Y fine movement mechanism arranged to the X moving section, has other two pairs of parallel-plate flexural sections, a Y moving section movable in the Y direction, connected to the X moving section through the other two pairs of parallel-plate flexural sections, and two Y direction piezoelectric actuators causing the Y moving section to move relatively to the X moving section.

Abstract: A stage unit used for moving a sample comprises a vertical stage for moving a sample stand in a vertical direction, a horizontal stage for moving the vertical stage in a horizontal direction. In the stage unit, the horizontal stage is fixed on a horizontal slide surface of a surface table and the vertical stage is slidably arranged on the slide surface. The vertical stage is coupled with the horizontal stage by means of plate springs having strong rigidity in the horizontal direction and weak rigidity in the vertical direction. The whole rigidity of the stage unit is determined only by the vertical stage and is not subject to the effect of the rigidity of the sections included in the horizontal stage and the rigidity of a driving section as to each axis direction. The rigidity of the stage unit can be increased. The standstill rigidity of the stage unit is determined only by the rigidity of the vertical stage. All stages of the stage unit are not piled up.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe comprising an acoustic lens (20) having a concave lens surface (21) formed on one side of a lens body, and a piezoelectric transducer (23) disposed on the other side of the acoustic lens, ultrasonic waves generated by applying voltage to the piezoelectric transducer being focused through the lens surface to detect the reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves from a sample (26) by the piezoelectric transducer for obtaining information about the surface or interior of the sample. The lens surface (21) of the acoustic lens (20) is defined by an etch profile (15) formed by etching a substrate material (11) which makes up the lens body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe comprising an acoustic lens (20) having a concave lens surface (21) formed on one side of a lens body, and a piezoelectric transducer (23) disposed on the other side of the acoustic lens, ultrasonic waves generated by applying voltage to the piezoelectric transducer being focused through the lens surface to detect the reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves from a sample (26) by the piezoelectric transducer for obtaining information about the surface or interior of the sample. The lens surface (21) of the acoustic lens (20) is defined by an etch profile (15) formed by etching a substrate material (11) which makes up the lens body.