Enlarged sample holder for optical AFM imaging: Millimeter scanning with high resolution

Abstract : We developed a home-made sample-holder unit used for 2D nano-positioning with millimeter traveling ranges. For each displacement axis, the system includes a long range traveling stage and a piezoelectric actuator for accurate positioning. Specific electronics is integrated according to metrological considerations, enhancing the repeatability performances. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that near-field microscopy at the scale of a chip is possible. We chose here to characterize highly integrated optical structures. For this purpose, the sample-holder is integrated into an atomic force microscope in order to perform optical imaging. To demonstrate the overall performances, a millimeter scale optical images have been realized.