Scanning Probe Microscope Beam Splitter Nesting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In scanning probe microscopes, the movable beam splitter can be damaged or deviate due to user contact or increased moving distance, leading to decreased observation accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A scanning probe microscope design with a rotation mechanism that retracts the beam splitter within the housing, using a cantilever, beam source, beam receiving unit, and housing, where the beam splitter moves rotationally and is gripped by an operating portion on the side surface, preventing user contact and minimizing movement distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the beam splitter is moved outside the housing to improve visibility during positioning, then the visibility when positioning sample and probe is improved, but the beam splitter may be damaged or stained due to user contact

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidbeam splitter damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The beam splitter is nested within the housing during positioning operations. The housing contains the beam splitter, allowing the optical microscope to observe through the housing while the beam splitter remains protected inside, preventing user contact while maintaining visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as an intermediary between the user and the beam splitter. The optical microscope provides visual access to the sample and probe positions through the housing, while the operating portion provides mechanical control without requiring direct user contact with the beam splitter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If the beam splitter is moved outside the housing to improve visibility during positioning, then the visibility when positioning sample and probe is improved, but the position of the beam splitter may deviate due to increased moving distance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidbeam splitter position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The beam splitter remains nested within the housing throughout the positioning process, eliminating the need for large movements. The housing provides a stable reference frame that maintains the beam splitter's position accuracy while allowing optical observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical observation is achieved by utilizing the spatial dimension through the housing rather than moving the beam splitter externally. The optical path passes through the housing structure, allowing visibility without compromising the beam splitter's positional precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the beam splitter is configured to be movable for observation, then the versatility of the microscope is improved, but the accuracy of observation may decrease due to beam splitter deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation capabilityVSAvoidobservation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The beam splitter is nested within the housing, providing a stable and protected environment that maintains observation accuracy. The housing serves as a rigid reference structure that prevents beam splitter deviation while allowing the necessary optical observations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical movement of the beam splitter is replaced by optical observation through the housing. Instead of physically moving the beam splitter to different positions, the system uses the optical microscope to observe through the stationary housing, eliminating mechanical deviation while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration maintains high observation accuracy by preventing beam splitter damage and deviation, ensuring precise positioning and visibility during sample and probe alignment.

Implementation Method 1

The beam splitter is provided on an optical path from the beam source to the beam receiving unit to reflect beam passing through the optical path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The rotation mechanism retracts the beam splitter from the optical path inside the housing by rotationally moving the beam splitter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational movement:

Data Source

PatentUS10088499B2Scanning probe microscope

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

Provided is a scanning probe microscope capable of performing observation with high accuracy even when a beam splitter is configured to be movable.When checking positions of a sample and a cantilever in a scanning probe microscope, by disposing an optical microscope to face a first opening portion of a top surface of a housing, and by gripping and rotating an operating portion provided on a side surface of the housing, a user rotates and moves a beam splitter held by a holding portion in the housing, and retracts the beam splitter from the field of view of the optical microscope. Therefore, the beam splitter can always be disposed in the housing, and the user can be prevented from touching the beam splitter. As a result, it is possible to prevent the beam splitter from being damaged or stains from adhering to the beam splitter. Further, the moving distance of the bears splitter 6 can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a deviation in the position of the beam splitter.