Scanning probe microscope control system

1. A method for controlling a scanning probe microscope for imaging the surface of a sample, comprising:

initializing a stage comprising the scanning probe microscope;

displaying a plurality of predetermined types of samples that may be scanned with the scanning probe microscope;

selecting the sample type for scanning;

loading information relating to the selected sample type from a sample designator file into a control program;

loading a sample onto the stage;

activating X, Y, and Z stage motors to move the stage into the best position;

moving the stage to a region of the sample that is to be scanned;

completing the probe approach to the surface of the sample; and

initiating a scan.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of initializing the stage comprises the step of moving all of the stage motors to their starting positions.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein one or more Z motors move a scan head away from a sample holder, and one or more XY motors move the sample holder to a front position, in preparation for adding a sample.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of checking a probe of the scanning probe microscope.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the step of checking the probe comprises establishing the condition of the probe.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein establishing the condition of the probe comprises the step of performing a frequency sweep of the probe to determine if the probe is in good enough condition for scanning.

7. The method according to claim 4 further comprising the step of replacing the probe if the condition is poor.

8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising the step of showing a video to illustrate the procedure for removing the probe and installing a new probe into the scanning probe microscope.

9. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of showing a video to illustrate the process for loading a sample.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the best position allows rapid focusing of a video microscope.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the probe is placed within a small distance, <1 mm, from the sample's surface.

12. The method according to claim 1 wherein a sample thickness, stored in the sample designator file, is used for setting the height for the Z motor.

13. The method according to claim 1 wherein a sample thickness, stored in the sample designator file, is used for setting the height of a video microscope.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stage is moved to the region of the sample that is to be scanned using icons on a computer screen and a video microscope.

15. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a scan image window to display one or more selections depending on the information in the sample designator file.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein one selection is a scanning probe microscope zoom window if the sample requires higher resolution imaging.

17. The method according to claim 15 wherein one selection is a button for saving the image.

18. Control software for a scanning probe microscope, the software comprising:

code for initializing a stage comprising the scanning probe microscope;

code for displaying a plurality of predetermined types of samples that may be scanned with the scanning probe microscope;

code for enabling selection of the sample type for scanning;

code for loading information relating to the selected sample type from a sample designator file into a control program;

code for activating X, Y, and Z stage motors to move a stage, onto which a sample is loaded, into the best position;

code for controlling movement of the stage to a region of the sample that is to be scanned;

code for completing the probe approach to the surface of the sample; and

code for initiating a scan.

19. A scanning probe microscope having control software, the software comprising:

code for initializing a stage comprising the scanning probe microscope;

code for displaying a plurality of predetermined types of samples that may be scanned with the scanning probe microscope;

code for enabling selection of the sample type for scanning;

code for loading information relating to the selected sample type from a sample designator file into a control program;

code for activating X, Y, and Z stage motors to move a stage, onto which a sample is loaded, into the best position;

code for controlling movement of the stage to a region of the sample that is to be scanned;

code for completing the probe approach to the surface of the sample; and

code for initiating a scan.

20. The software of claim 19 wherein a sample designator file is downloaded using the world wide web (www) or a modem.