Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid optical and interferometric atomic force microscope system (40) for monitoring a cantilever probe (46). A light source (42) provides a light beam which is focussed on the back of the cantilever probe (46). The light reflected off the probe is split into two beams of different path lengths and are recombined to form an interference beam (58). This interference beam (58) is passed through a grating (102) having substantially the same period and orientation as the interference beam pattern. The light transmitted through the grating (102) illuminates a photodetector (122) to give a signal according to the intensity of the light falling on the photodetector. The photodetector output signal is sent to a positioning system (126), which in turn gives a signal to the piezoelectric system (54) so that the probe (46) follows the sample (50) surface. This signal is integrated as a function of position across the scanned area to represent a characteristic of the sample surface.

Abstract: A laser plumb includes a laser, and a mass that is rotatable about a spin axis to stabilize the laser. The mass is mounted to a support to be pivotable about at least one axis, and preferably two axes. The two axes are perpendicular to each other and the spin axis. The laser is mounted to the mass to maintain its orientation relative to the support, as the mass rotates about the spin axis. A weight below the tilt axes aligns the spin axis with the gravitational axis. Preferably, the mass and laser are mounted to the support by a gimballed mount. The plumb optionally includes markings on its base to measure a deflection of the laser from the support, thereby allowing measurement of the angle of inclination of a surface supporting the base.

Abstract: A laser plumb includes a laser, and a mass that is rotatable about a spin axis to stabilize the laser. The mass is mounted to a support to be pivotable about at least one axis, and preferably two axes. The two axes are perpendicular to each other and the spin axis. The laser is mounted to the mass to maintain its orientation relative to the support, as the mass rotates about the spin axis. A weight below the tilt axes aligns the spin axis with the gravitational axis. Preferably, the mass and laser are mounted to the support by a gimballed mount. The plumb optionally includes markings on its base to measure a deflection of the laser from the support, thereby allowing measurement of the angle of inclination of a surface supporting the base.