Method to increase the speed of a scanning probe microscope

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 4954704
SERIAL NO

07445280

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Abstract

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In a scanning probe microscope having a probe moved by a piezoelectric 3-dimensional positioner in perpendicular X and Y directions over the surface of a sample to create a raster scan thereof and feedback controlled and sensed in a Z direction vertical to the surface to gather data about the topography of the surface, this is a method of operating the piezoelectric 3-dimensional positioner to increase the speed of gathering data about a scanning area of the surface being scanned. The method comprises the steps of, causing the positioner to traverse the surface from a first edge of the scanning area with the probe in a +X direction at a first rate of speed while feedback controlling and sensing the Z direction; causing the positioner to lift the probe above the surface a clearance distance at a second edge of the scanning area opposite the first edge in the +X direction; and, causing the positioner to return the probe to the first edge in a -X direction without feedback control thereof at a second rate of speed which is faster than the first rate of speed.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
VEECO METROLOGY INC112 ROBIN HILL ROAD SANTA BARBARA CA 93117

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Elings, Virgil B Santa Barbara, CA 54 2876
Maivald, Peter Goleta, CA 3 138

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