The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 11, 1999
Molecular Imaging Corporation, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Arizona Board of Regents, Tempe, AZ (US);
Abstract
A scanning probe microscope for generating a signal corresponding to the surface characteristics of a scanned sample is provided and includes a force sensing probe tip disposed on a first side of a free end of a flexible cantilever which is adapted to be brought into close proximity to a sample surface; a magnetized material disposed on a second side opposite the first side of the flexible cantilever; an XY scanner for generating relative scanning movement between the force sensing probe tip and the sample surface; a Z control for adjusting the distance between the force sensing probe tip and the sample surface; and a deflection detector for generating a deflection signal indicative of deflection of the flexible cantilever. The scanning probe microscope also includes an ac signal source and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field, with the magnetic field generator being coupled to the ac signal source so as to modulate the magnetic field with the ac signal. The force-sensing cantilever is magnetized with a moment along the soft axis of the cantilever.