INTELLIGENT SENSOR FOR NEAR FIELD OPTICAL DEVICE

摘要

PCT No. PCT/GB94/01586 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 23, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 23, 1996 PCT Filed Jul. 22, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/03561 PCT Pub. Date Feb. 2, 1995The disclosed optical device includes a probe which is integrally supported on a cantilever which defines an optical path extending to an external device which may carry an optical processor. In a preferred embodiment the device has an optical path which is capable of guiding an evanescent wave to the external device. The device overcomes a problem with prior art Scanning Tunnelling Microscopes in that, by utilizing evanescent waves, it enables access to the so called mesoscopic range between approximately 1x10-10m<-50x10-10m (1 ANGSTROM -50 ANGSTROM ). In an alternative embodiment the invention permits manipulation of microscopic particles by utilising the probe. The probe may also act as a sensor.