Scanning probe microscope and molecular structure change observation method

1. A molecular structure change observation method comprising:

applying photolytic light to a caged compound existing in liquid or a sample while scanning the sample in the liquid with a cantilever; and

controlling a distance between the sample and a probe provided at an end portion of the cantilever in accordance with a timing of an application of the photolytic light so as to reduce an influence of the photolytic light on the cantilever when applying the photolytic light.

2. A molecular structure change observation method according to claim 1 , wherein the photolytic light releases a protecting group of the caged compound and is ultraviolet light.

3. A molecular structure change observation method according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising observing at least one of the sample, the cantilever and the probe.

4. A molecular structure change observation method according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising controlling an application time of the photolytic light.

5. A scanning probe microscope comprising:

a cantilever;

a scanning mechanism which relatively scans the cantilever and a sample which exist in liquid;

an application mechanism which applies photolytic light to a caged compound existing in the liquid or the sample during the scanning; and

a control mechanism which controls a distance between the sample and a probe provided at an end portion of the cantilever in accordance with a timing of an application of the photolytic light so as to reduce an influence of the photolytic light on the cantilever.

6. A scanning probe microscope according to claim 5 , further comprising a detection mechanism which optically detects a displacement of the cantilever due to an interaction between the cantilever and the sample, and an optical mechanism which separates detection light used for the detection mechanism and the photolytic light applied to the caged compound.

7. A scanning probe microscope according to claim 6 , further comprising an optical device which prevents the photolytic light from reaching the detection mechanism.

8. A scanning probe microscope according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the photolytic light is ultraviolet light.

9. A scanning probe microscope according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the cantilever or the probe is functionalized with a functional group or a molecule.

10. A scanning probe microscope comprising:

a cantilever;

a scanning mechanism which relatively scans the cantilever and a sample which exist in liquid;

a detection mechanism which optically detects a displacement of the cantilever due to an interaction between the cantilever and the sample;

an application mechanism which applies photolytic light to a caged compound existing in the liquid during the scanning;

a control mechanism which controls a distance between the sample and a probe provided at an end portion of the cantilever in accordance with a timing of an application of the photolytic light so as to reduce an influence of the photolytic light on the cantilever;

an optical device which prevents the photolytic light from reaching a light detection element of the detection mechanism; and

an optical microscope which observes at least one of the sample, the cantilever and the probe.

11. A scanning probe microscope according to claim 10 , wherein the photolytic light is applied to part or all of a visual field of the optical microscope through an objective lens of the optical microscope.

12. A scanning probe microscope according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the photolytic light is ultraviolet light.

13. A scanning probe microscope according to claim 10 or 11 , further comprising a control unit which controls an application time of the photolytic light.

14. A scanning probe microscope comprising:

a cantilever;

a scanning mechanism which relatively scans the cantilever and a sample which exist in liquid;

an action mechanism which acts into the liquid or the sample within a temporally or spatially limited range during the scanning; and

a control mechanism which controls a distance between the sample and a probe provided at an end portion of the cantilever in accordance with a timing of an action of the action mechanism so as to reduce an influence of the action mechanism on the cantilever.

15. A scanning probe microscope comprising:

a cantilever;

a scanning mechanism which relatively scans the cantilever and a sample which exist in liquid;

a mechanism which applies light or an action to cause a change of a molecule existing in the liquid or the sample during the scanning; and

a control mechanism which controls a distance between the sample and a probe provided at an end portion of the cantilever in accordance with a timing of an application of the light or the action so as to reduce an influence of the application of the light or the action on the cantilever,

wherein the control mechanism retracts the cantilever or the sample in a direction to separate from each other when the light or the action is applied.

16. A molecular structure change observation method comprising steps of:

relatively scanning a cantilever and a sample which exist in liquid;

applying light or an action to cause a change of a molecule existing in the liquid or the sample during the scanning; and

retracting the cantilever or the sample in a direction to separate from each other in accordance with a timing of an application of the light or the action so as to reduce an influence of the application of the light or the action on the cantilever when the light or the action is applied.

17. A molecular structure change observation method comprising steps of:

relatively scanning a cantilever and a sample which exist in liquid;

applying light or an action into the liquid or the sample within a temporally or spatially limited range during the scanning; and

retracting the cantilever or the sample in a direction to separate from each other in accordance with a timing of an application of the light or the action so as to reduce an influence of the application of the light or the action on the cantilever when the light or the action is applied.