Mechanical apparatus with rod, pivot, and translation means for positioning a sample for use with a scanning microscope
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJohn R. Kirtley, Sarah H. Blanton, Mark B. Ketchen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A positioning apparatus for performing coarse and fine positioning of samples for scanning such as by a scanning microscope system generally and a scanning SQUID microscope especially. The apparatus includes a connecting rod that pivots about a fixed point and a translation mechanism, such as an XYZ translation device, for manipulating one end of the rod to cause motion at the other end by way of the fixed pivot point. At the other end of the rod, a sample may be mounted such that the manipulating mechanism can move the rod in a plurality of directions so the sample can be scanned by a sensing device.
Claims18
An apparatus for positioning a sample comprising:
- a rod having first and second ends, said second end carrying the sample;
- translation means coupled proximate to said first end of said rod for moving said second end of said rod;
- means, separate from said rod and said translation means, for pivoting said rod between said first and second ends, wherein manipulation of said first end of said rod by said translation means moves said rod about said pivot means which thereby moves the sample carried at said second end of said rod in an arc-like motion, the sample being scanned during said arc-like sample movement;
- and
- a stationary sensing device, located proximate to the sample, for sensing the sample during said arc-like sample movement caused by said translation means and said pivot means.
An apparatus for positioning a sample comprising:
- a rod having first and second ends, said second end carrying the sample;
- translation means coupled proximate to said first end of said rod for moving said second end of said rod;
- means, separate from said rod and said translation means, for pivoting said rod between said first and second ends, wherein manipulation of said first end of said rod by said translation means moves said rod about said pivot means which thereby moves the sample carried at the second end of said rod in an arc-like motion, the sample being scanned during said arc-like sample movement;
- a stationary sensing device, located proximate to the sample, for sensing the sample during said arc-like sample movement caused by said translation means and said pivot means;
- and
- cantilever positioning means for maintaining contact between the sample and said sensing device during sensing and said arc-like sample movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.