Technique for measuring small distances between, and for measuring the flatness of, electrically conductive surfaces
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorMatthew M. Johnston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring the distance between first and second proximately disposed electrically conductive surfaces is provided in which the force exerted between the first and second surfaces is measured to obtain an exerted force value. A separation distance between the first and second surfaces is determined as a function of the exerted force value.
Claims19
A method of determining the degree to which the shape of a first electrically conductive surface varies from a nominal shape, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) holding the first surface a known separation distance from a second electrically conductive surface having a known shape;
- (b) measuring the force exerted between the first and second surfaces to obtain a measured exerted force value;
- and
- (c) comparing the measured exerted force value to a nominal force value that would be expected to be exerted between the first and second surfaces as a result of the Casimir force if the shape of the first surface were equivalent to the nominal shape, to obtain a difference between the measured exerted force value and the nominal force value.
An apparatus for determining the degree to which the shape of a first electrically conductive surface varies from a nominal shape, the apparatus comprising:
- an electrically conductive test surface having a known shape;
- a grasping member that holds the first surface a known distance from the test surface;
- a force gauge that measures the force exerted between the first surface and the test surface to obtain a measured exerted force value;
- and
- a processor adapted to compare the measured exerted force value to a nominal force that would be expected to be exerted between the first surface and the test surfaces as a result of the Casimir force if the shape of the first surface were equivalent to the nominal shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.