US5767514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning probe and an approach mechanism therefor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-12-31
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Granted: 1998-06-16
•
Expires: 2016-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for tunnelling microscopy utilising a tunnelling microscope head (11) having a tip (15) which is moveable by a driver (25) towards a sample (28) and is stopped in its advance as an electron flow between the tip and the sample is detected . The tip (15) is advanced towards the sample via a piezoelectric member (24) at a one voltage level, and on detection of the electron flow the voltage level of the piezoelectric member (24) is changed causing the piezoelectric member (24) to retract, stopping the advance of the tip (15) and stopping the driver (25) within the retraction distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Grongar Wynn Lloyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01Q; G01Q10/00; G01Q10/04; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y35/00; G01Q60/00; G01Q60/10; G01Q60/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/85; Y10S977/851
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A tip mechanism for a probe microscope capable of sensing electron flow between a tip and a surface of a sample, said mechanism comprising: a tip, a drive means to move the tip towards a surface of a sample, said tip being moved via a first piezoelectric member attached to the drive means, and when the tip at a distance from said surface begins to detect said electron flow, the first piezoelectric member retracts a predetermined distance and the drive means stops within the predetermined distance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A tip mechanism for a probe microscope capable of sensing electron flow between a tip and a surface of a sample, said mechanism comprising: a tip, a drive means to move the tip towards a surface of a sample, said tip being moved via a first piezoelectric member attached to the drive means, and when the tip at a distance from said surface begins to detect said electron flow, the first piezoelectric member retracts a predetermined distance and the drive means stops within the predetermined distance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive means is a screw threaded member and the first piezoelectric member is secured to the screw threaded member which is rotated to advance the tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 2, further including a body and an electric or hydraulic motor which is mounted on the body coaxially aligned with the tip, and the screw threaded member is rotated by said motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 3, further including a second piezoelectric member housed within the body, and wherein the tip is slideably mounted at one end of the second piezoelectric member, the other end of which is secured to the body, the tip being mounted in alignment with the first piezoelectric member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the body has a mounting surface and said sample is mounted onto the mounting surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tip is secured to a tip mount which is held on a plate by frictional engagement therewith, said plate being mounted on the second piezoelectric member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tip is mounted on a tip mount which is connected to the first piezoelectric member through a lost motion connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said probe microscope is a tunnelling microscope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a voltage source for producing a voltage which is connected to the first piezoelectric member, and said voltage source is controllably linked to a tip operation detect means to that the voltage is change as electron flow between the tip and the sample surface is detected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the voltage is changed from +200 volts to -200 volts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first piezoelectric member is retracted by a distance of about between 4-20 microns based on changing voltage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first piezoelectric member is secured to a screw-threaded member which is rotated, a motor causing the threaded member to advance the tip relative to a body on which the tip is mounted, wherein a control means switches off the motor on detection of electron flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method of tunnelling microscopy utilizing a tunnelling microscope having a tip mechanism as claimed in claim 1, said method comprising: advancing the tip towards a surface of a sample, holding the first piezoelectric member at a first voltage level, detecting the flow of electrons between the tip and said surface, changing the voltage level of the piezoelectric member to a second voltage level, causing the first piezoelectric member to retract a distance from the tip, stopping the drive means within the retraction distance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first piezoelectric member is secured to a screw threaded member which is rotatable to advance the tip via the first piezoelectric member, the method including rotating the screw threaded member by means of a hydraulic or an electric motor operating at approximately up to 2 rpm and stopping the motor within about 0.1 seconds of detecting said electron flow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein further including retracting the first piezoelectric member for distance of between 4-20 microns depending upon the change of voltage level from said first to said second levels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 2001-06-15 | 2001-12-15 | 2002-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-15 | 2005-12-15 | 2006-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-15 | 2009-12-15 | 2010-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |