Support device and stage assembly for a scanned-probe microscope

A microscope stage assembly for a scanned-probe microscope, said stage assembly comprising:

• a support device comprising a horizontal base member and a vertical bridge member, each said member terminating in opposite ends, said horizontal and vertical members being disposed transversely to one another and connected at their respective opposite ends to a common chord member extending between said opposite ends;
• probe means supported by said vertical member;
• wherein said horizontal base member and said chord member each has an upper surface substantially coplanar with one another, said substantially coplanar upper surfaces together providing support for a readily separable sample plate;
• and
• a readily separable sample plate disposed on said substantially coplanar upper surfaces.

A scanned-probe microscope assembly comprising:

• a scanned-probe microscope including probe means;
• a support device comprising a horizontal base member and a vertical bridge member, each said member terminating in opposite ends, said horizontal and vertical members being disposed transversely to one another and connected at their respective opposite ends to a common chord member extending between said opposite ends, said microscope coupled to said vertical member;
• wherein said horizontal base member and said chord member each has an upper surface substantially coplanar with one another, said coplanar upper surfaces together providing support for a readily separable sample plate;
• and
• a readily separable sample plate disposed on said substantially coplanar upper surfaces.

A support device for a scanned-probe microscope comprising:

• a scanned-probe microscope with a probe means;
• a horizontal base member and a vertical bridge member, each said member terminating in opposite ends, said horizontal and vertical members being disposed transversely to one another and connected at their respective opposite ends by a chord member, said chord member integral with said horizontal member;
• the scanned-probe microscope coupled to said vertical member;
• wherein said horizontal base member has an upper surface, said upper surface providing support for a readily separable sample plate.

A microscope and stage assembly for a scanned-probe microscope comprising:

• a support device comprising a horizontal base member and a vertical bridge member, each said member terminating in opposite ends, said horizontal and vertical members being disposed transversely to one another and connection at their respective opposite ends by a chord member, said chord member integral with said horizontal member;
• a scanned-probe microscope with a probe means coupled to said vertical member;
• wherein said horizontal base member has an upper surface, said upper surface providing support for a readily separable sample plate;
• and
• a readily separable sample plate disposed on said upper surface.

A scanned-probe microscope assembly comprising:

• a scanned-probe microscope with probe means;
• a support device comprising a horizontal base member and a vertical bridge member, each said member terminating in opposite ends, said horizontal and vertical members being disposed transversely to one another and connected at their respective opposite ends by a chord member, said chord member integral with said horizontal member;
• said scanned-probe microscope coupled to said vertical member;
• wherein said horizontal base member has an upper surface, said upper surface providing support for a readily separable sample plate;
• and
• a readily separable sample plate disposed on said upper surface.