Abstract: A technique for actively damping internal vibrations in a scanning probe microscope is disclosed. The excitation of various mechanical movements, including resonances, in the mechanical assembly of an SPM can adversely effect its performance, especially for high speed applications. An actuator is used to compensate for the movements. The actuator may operate in only the z direction, or may operate in other directions. The actuator(s) may be located at positions of antinodes.

Abstract: During a measurement in KFM mode of the surface potential of a material (P), a detection point (1) is arranged above a surface (S) of the material. Two piezoelectric actuators (2, 5) are used to monitor a mean distance of the detection point relative to the surface of the material and a mechanical oscillation of said point. During the measurement, a control voltage is applied between control electrodes (2a, 2b) of the piezoelectric actuator (2) which is dedicated to the mechanical oscillation of the detection point (1), said control voltage not having an alternative component to an angular frequency of electrical energization of said detection point. A result of the KFM measurement is therefore separate from operating parameters such as a projection angle used to perform closed-loop control and a value of the angular frequency of electrical energization. The invention thus provides absolute measurements of surface potentials.

Abstract: A method of actuating a system comprising a movable component and an actuator configured to move the movable component comprises providing a control signal representative of a desired motion of the movable component. The control signal is supplied to one or more resonators. Each of the one or more resonators has a mode of oscillation representative of at least one elastic mode of oscillation of the system. The control signal is modified by subtracting from the control signal a signal representative of a response of the one or more resonators to the control signal. The actuator is operated in accordance with the modified control signal. Thus, undesirable elastic oscillations of the system which might occur if the system were operated with the original control system can be reduced.

Abstract: Provided is a cantilever excitation device capable of preventing complication of resonance characteristics by a simple configuration. A cantilever excitation device (1) is provided with a cantilever (7), a cantilever holder (3) for holding the cantilever (7), and a piezoelectric vibrator (5) attached to the cantilever holder (3). The cantilever holder (3) includes a holder main part (11) (first part) having an acoustic impedance different from that of the piezoelectric vibrator (5) for transmitting vibration of the piezoelectric vibrator by elastic deformation and an attachment piece (13) (second part) having the acoustic impedance different from that of the first part for forming a material boundary to block propagation of an acoustic wave between the same and the first part. The first and second parts are interposed between the piezoelectric vibrator (5) and the cantilever (7).

Abstract: An approach for the thermomechanical characterization of phase transitions in polymeric materials (polyethyleneterephthalate) by band excitation acoustic force microscopy is developed. This methodology allows the independent measurement of resonance frequency, Q factor, and oscillation amplitude of a tip-surface contact area as a function of tip temperature, from which the thermal evolution of tip-surface spring constant and mechanical dissipation can be extracted. A heating protocol maintained a constant tip-surface contact area and constant contact force, thereby allowing for reproducible measurements and quantitative extraction of material properties including temperature dependence of indentation-based elastic and loss moduli.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus (100) is provided with: a first substrate (41) on which a recording medium (43) is mounted; and a second substrate (21) to which a recording/reproducing head (23), which performs information recording and information reproduction on the recording/reproducing medium is fixed, wherein the second substrate is relatively displaced in a predetermined direction substantially parallel to the first substrate with respect to the first substrate, a particulate (30) is placed in a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, the particulate can be displaced with displacement of the second substrate, the particulate has a substantially circular cross section in a direction that the second substrate is displaced when the second substrate is displaced.

Abstract: A signal coupling system interposed between a scanning probe and a measurement instrument provides signal communication between the scanning probe and the measurement instrument. The signal coupling system has a pre-stressed shape when the scanning probe is in a neutral position. The pre-stressed shape is designated to provide a characteristic impedance of the signal coupling system that varies linearly as a function of displacement of the scanning probe from the neutral position when the scanning probe is displaced, relative to the neutral position, over a designated range of displacements.

Abstract: A scanning probe apparatus for obtaining information of a sample, recording information in the sample, or processing the sample with relative movement between the sample and the apparatus, the apparatus is constituted by a probe; and a scanning stage including a drive element for moving a sample holding table for holding the sample and a movable portion movable in a direction in which an inertial force generated during movement of the sample holding table is cancelled. The scanning stage further includes a memory for storing characteristic information of the scanning stage and is detachably or replaceably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus.

Abstract: A drive stage for a scanning probe apparatus includes a supporting member, a plurality of movable portions fixed to the supporting member, and a plurality of drive elements configured and positioned to drive the plurality of movable portions. The drive stage is driven in a direction in which inertial forces of the plurality of movable portions are mutually canceled during drive of the plurality of drive elements. The drive stage further includes an inertial force difference detection member configured and positioned to detect a difference in inertial force between the plurality of movable portions, and an inertial force adjustment member configured and positioned to effect inertial force adjustment so that the difference in inertial force between the plurality of movable portions is decreased on the basis of a detection output of the inertial force detection member.

Abstract: A scanning probe apparatus for obtaining information of a sample, recording information in the sample, or processing the sample with relative movement between the sample and the apparatus, the apparatus is constituted by a probe; and a scanning stage including a drive element for moving a sample holding table for holding the sample and a movable portion movable in a direction in which an inertial force generated during movement of the sample holding table is cancelled. The scanning stage further includes a drive circuit for driving the scanning stage and is detachably or replaceably mountable to a main assembly of the apparatus.