Abstract: A metrology device for determining metrological characteristics of a sample is described that includes a probe, a scanning mechanism, a radiation source, an optical sensor and a signal processor. In operation the scanning mechanism displaces the probe relative to the sample, along a surface of the sample. The probe has a diamond tip with one or more nitrogen-vacancy centers and is irradiated by the radiation source with photon radiation to excite the diamond tip to emit fluorescent light. The optical sensor provides a sense signal indicative of an intensity of the emitted fluorescent light and the signal processor processes the sense signal to compute at least one characteristic of a feature present in 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 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: A vision guide with a light guiding rod including rope member formed by twisting plural strands; light guiding rod of circumferentially light emitting type being adheringly wound around spiral indentations formed between strands on outer circumference of rope member with core layer made of acrylic-based resin and clad layer made of fluorine-based resin; and light source attached to end portion of light guiding rod, wherein amount of change luminance of light guiding rod in test time over duration of 1000 hours by accelerated weathering tester is contained within range of ±10%; amount of change in each numerical value of chromaticity [x, y] is contained within range of ±0.02; flexural modulus of elasticity of light guiding rod under atmosphere of ?20 degrees Centigrade is contained at range of 0.5-5.0×103 MPa; rope member is formed by twisting strands at twisting angle from 10°-20°; and spiral indentations are uniformly formed with pitch from 100 mm-200 mm.

Abstract: The present document relates to a heterodyne scanning probe microscopy (SPM) method for subsurface imaging, and includes: applying an acoustic input signal to a sample and sensing an acoustic output signal using a probe. The acoustic input signal comprises a plurality of signal components at unique frequencies, including a carrier frequency and at least two excitation frequencies. The carrier frequency and the excitation frequencies form a group of frequencies, which are distributed with an equal difference frequency between each two subsequent frequencies of the group. The difference frequency is below a sensitivity threshold frequency of the cantilever for enabling sensing of the acoustic output signal. The document also describes an SPM system.

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 an acoustic input signal to a sample and sensing an acoustic output signal using a probe. The acoustic input signal comprises a plurality of signal components at unique frequencies, including a carrier frequency and at least two excitation frequencies. The carrier frequency and the excitation frequencies form a group of frequencies, which are distributed with an equal difference frequency between each two subsequent frequencies of the group. The difference frequency is below a sensitivity threshold frequency of the cantilever for enabling sensing of the acoustic output signal. The document also describes an SPM system.

Abstract: A vision guide with a light guiding rod including rope member formed by twisting plural strands; light guiding rod of circumferentially light emitting type being adheringly wound around spiral indentations formed between strands on outer circumference of rope member with core layer made of acrylic-based resin and clad layer made of fluorine-based resin; and light source attached to end portion of light guiding rod, wherein amount of change luminance of light guiding rod in test time over duration of 1000 hours by accelerated weathering tester is contained within range of ±10%; amount of change in each numerical value of chromaticity [x, y] is contained within range of ±0.02; flexural modulus of elasticity of light guiding rod under atmosphere of ?20 degrees Centigrade is contained at range of 0.5-5.0×103 MPa; rope member is formed by twisting strands at twisting angle from 10°-20°; and spiral indentations are uniformly formed with pitch from 100 mm-200 mm.

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.