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US5276324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composite scanning tunneling microscope
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1992-07-29
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Granted: 1994-01-04
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Expires: 2012-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A composite scanning tunneling microscope comprises a first objective optical system for collimating an optical flux from a sample, a second objective optical system for condensing the optical flux thus collimated, and a transparent member disposed between the first and the second objective optical systems. A through hole is perforated along an optical axis in the center of the first objective optical system. A tube scanner member has a probe for detecting a tunnel current disposed at one end thereof. The tube scanner member passes through the hole of the first objective optical system without a contact therewith. The other end of the tube scanner member is fixed to the transparent member. The tube scanner member fixed to the transparent member is separate from and independent of an optical microscope, so that a tunnel current may stably be detected without influences on the probe from vibrations of the optical microscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Tatsuro Ohtaki
- 👤 Hideaki Ohkubo
- 👤 Hiroyuki Matsushiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01Q; G01Q60/00; G01Q60/10; G01Q60/16; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y35/00; G01Q10/00; G01Q10/04; G01Q30/00; G01Q30/02; G01Q30/025; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/0004; G02B21/002; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/868; Y10S977/869
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A scanning tunneling microscope comprising: an objective optical system comprising a lens system opposed to a sample, said lens system having a through hole along an optical axis in a center thereof; a transparent member disposed on the optical axis on the other side of said lens system with respect to said sample; and a scanner member having one end vibrating to scan said sample while supporting a probe for detecting a tunnel current, and the other end held by said transparent member, said scanner member passing through the hole in said lens system without a contact therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A scanning tunneling microscope comprising: an objective optical system comprising a lens system opposed to a sample, said lens system having a through hole along an optical axis in a center thereof; a transparent member disposed on the optical axis on the other side of said lens system with respect to said sample; and a scanner member having one end vibrating to scan said sample while supporting a probe for detecting a tunnel current, and the other end held by said transparent member, said scanner member passing through the hole in said lens system without a contact therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
A scanning tunneling microscope comprising: a first objective optical system having a through hole along an optical axis in a center thereof and collimating an optical flux from a sample; a second objective optical system condensing the collimated optical flux from said first objective optical system; a transparent member disposed between said first and second objective optical systems; and a scanner member having one end vibrating to scan said sample while supporting a probe for detecting a tunnel current, and the other end held by said transparent member, said scanner member passing through the hole in said first objective optical system without a contact therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A scanning tunneling microscope comprising: a first objective optical system having a through hole along an optical axis in a center thereof and collimating an optical flux from a sample; a second objective optical system condensing the collimated optical flux from said first objective optical system; a transparent member disposed between said first and second objective optical systems; and a scanner member having one end vibrating to scan said sample while supporting a probe for detecting a tunnel current, and the other end held by said transparent member, said scanner member passing through the hole in said first objective optical system without a contact therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A scanning tunneling microscope according to claim 2, wherein said transparent member comprises a transparent parallel plain plate with a hole in a center thereof, in which the other end of said scanner member fits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A scanning tunneling microscope according to claim 2, wherein said transparent member has a central hole in which said other end of the scanner member fits, and a plurality of openings for light transmission formed to surround said central hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A scanning tunneling microscope according to claim 2, wherein said scanner member comprises a cylindrical piezoelectric member holding said probe at a tip thereof and electrode means disposed on circumferential planes of said piezoelectric member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
173 words
A scanning tunneling microscope comprising: a vibration isolating table; a first support member disposed on said vibration isolating table; an optical microscope disposed on said first support member, said optical microscope comprising a first objective optical system having a through hole along an optical axis in a center thereof and collimating an optical flux from a sample, and a second objective optical system condensing the collimated optical flux from said first objective optical system; a second support member disposed on said vibration isolating table independently of said first support member, said second support member comprising a transparent member disposed between said first and second objective optical systems; and a tunneling microscope disposed on said second support member, said tunneling microscope comprising a scanner member held by said transparent member and passing through the hole in said first objective optical system without a contact therewith, said scanner member having one end vibrating to scan said sample while supporting a probe for detecting a tunnel current and the other end held by said transparent member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
A scanning tunneling microscope comprising: a vibration isolating table; a first support member disposed on said vibration isolating table; an optical microscope disposed on said first support member, said optical microscope comprising a first objective optical system having a through hole along an optical axis in a center thereof and collimating an optical flux from a sample, and a second objective optical system condensing the collimated optical flux from said first objective optical system; a second support member disposed on said vibration isolating table independently of said first support member, said second support member comprising a transparent member disposed between said first and second objective optical systems; and a tunneling microscope disposed on said second support member, said tunneling microscope comprising a scanner member held by said transparent member and passing through the hole in said first objective optical system without a contact therewith, said scanner member having one end vibrating to scan said sample while supporting a probe for detecting a tunnel current and the other end held by said transparent member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A scanning tunneling microscope according to claim 6, wherein said transparent member comprises a transparent parallel plain plate with a central hole, in which said other end of the scanner member fits.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A scanning tunneling microscope according to claim 6, wherein said transparent member comprises an inner annular member in which the other end of said scanner member fits, an outer annular member held by said second support member, and a plurality of radial arms connecting between said inner and outer annular members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A scanning tunneling microscope according to claim 6, wherein said scanner member comprises a cylindrical piezoelectric member holding said probe at a tip thereof, and electrode means disposed on circumferential planes of said piezoelectric member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-03 | 1997-07-05 | 1998-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-03 | 2001-07-05 | 2002-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-03 | 2005-07-05 | 2006-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |