Method and apparatus for reducing lateral interactive forces during operation of a probe-based instrument

A method comprising:

• causing a cantilever-based probe of an instrument to interact with a sample while laterally moving at least a tip of the probe relative to the sample so as to reduce lateral loads that would otherwise be imposed on the probe as a result of probe/sample interaction, the magnitude of the relative lateral motion being a predetermined function of cantilever deflection, wherein the moving step comprises transmitting a lateral compensation signal to an actuator of the instrument that is pre-calibrated prior to the moving step to determine the relationship between cantilever deflection and lateral motion;
• and, prior to the causing step
• calibrating the instrument to obtain lateral compensation signals for a range of cantilever deflection values.

A method comprising:

• decreasing the spacing between a sample and a probe of a probe-based instrument, the probe including a passive cantilever having a fixed end and a free end portion that bears a tip, the cantilever deflecting as a result of probe/sample interaction occurring during at least part of the decreasing step, and
• during the decreasing step, energizing an actuator to move the sample relative to the probe to at least substantially eliminate lateral loads that would otherwise be imposed on the probe as a result of the probe/sample interaction, the magnitude of movement being a direct function of actual cantilever deflection and being predetermined prior to the decreasing step.

A method comprising:

• decreasing the spacing between a sample and a tip of a probe of a probe-based instrument, the probe including an active cantilever having a fixed end, a free end portion that bears the tip, and an actuator that is selectively energizable to bend the cantilever, the cantilever deflecting as a result of probe/sample interaction occurring during at least part of the decreasing step, and
• during the decreasing step, energizing an actuator to move at least the tip of the probe laterally relative to the sample to at least substantially eliminate lateral loads that would otherwise be imposed on the probe as a result of the probe/sample interaction, the magnitude of movement being a predetermined function of a monitored drive signal supplied to the active cantilever and being predetermined prior to the decreasing step, the monitored drive signal being a function of actual cantilever deflection.

An instrument comprising:

• (A) a probe including a cantilever and a tip mounted on the cantilever;
• and
• (B) a controller that transmits a lateral compensation signal to at least one actuator to move at least the tip of the probe relative to a sample while the probe is interacting with the sample so as to at least substantially eliminate lateral loads that would otherwise be imposed on the probe as a result of probe/sample interaction, the lateral compensating signal being a predetermined function of cantilever deflection that is predetermined prior to the probe-sample interaction.