IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,573,247
Granted Patent B2
US 11,573,247 · App. 17/445,448 · Granted Feb 7, 2023

Systems and methods for manufacturing nano-electro-mechanical-system probes

Inventor: Kwame Amponsah (Ithaca, NY)
Assignee: Xallent INC.
G01Q70/06B41J2/16505B41J2/16526G01Q60/30G01Q70/10G01Q70/14
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,573,247
App. No.
17/445,448
Granted
Feb 7, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods for manufacturing multiple integrated tip probes for scanning probe microscopy. According to an embodiment is a microscope probe configured to analyze a sample, the microscope probe including: a movable probe tip including a terminal probe end; a first actuator configured to displace the movable probe tip along a first axis; and a detection component configured to detect motion of the movable probe tip in response to an applied signal; where the moveable probe tip comprises a metal layer affixed to a supporting layer, at least a portion of the metal layer at the terminal probe end extending past the supporting layer.

Claims (15)

1. A microscope probe configured to analyze a sample, the microscope probe comprising:

a movable probe supported by a substrate;

a first actuator configured to displace the movable probe along a first axis;

a detection component configured to detect motion of the movable probe in response to an applied signal;

a resonator configured to vibrate the movable probe when the microscope probe is in a vibrational mode; and

a compensation capacitor affixed to the substrate and connected in parallel with the resonator, wherein the compensation capacitor is configured to cancel parasitic capacitance corresponding to the resonator.

2. The microscope probe of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the movable probe is attached to a spacer, the spacer fixedly secured to a top surface of the substrate.

3. The microscope probe of claim 1 , wherein the capacitor comprises a plurality of interdigitated fingers wherein at least a first finger and a second finger of the plurality of interdigitated fingers are separated by an air-gap.

4. The microscope probe of claim 1 , wherein the resonator comprises a plurality of interdigitated fingers wherein at least a first finger and a second finger of the plurality of interdigitated fingers are separated by an air-gap.

5. The microscope probe of claim 1 , wherein the capacitor comprises a first plurality of interdigitated fingers wherein a first finger and a second finger of the first plurality of interdigitated fingers are separated by an air-gap;

wherein the resonator comprises a second plurality of interdigitated fingers wherein a first finger and a second finger of the second plurality of interdigitated fingers are separated by an air-gap; and

wherein the first finger of the first plurality of interdigitated fingers of the capacitor and the first finger of the second plurality of interdigitated fingers of the resonator are connected to the first actuator.

6. The microscope probe of claim 1 , further comprising:

an electrode, wherein, along a direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate, the electrode is disposed between the movable probe and the substrate.

7. The microscope probe of claim 1 , wherein the resonator and the compensation capacitor are structurally identical and monolithically integrated on the substrate.

Assignments (2)
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded May 9, 2022
From: XALLENT, LLC
To: XALLENT INC.
Reel/Frame 059911/0387 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2022
From: AMPONSAH, KWAME
To: XALLENT, LLC
Reel/Frame 059773/0720 →
Continuity (5)
Division 16751913 · Jan 24, 2020
Continuation 16553968 · Aug 28, 2019
Division 15054626 · Feb 26, 2016
Provisional Application 62121208 · Feb 26, 2015
Related Publication 20210389346A1 · Dec 16, 2021