PROBE, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR AND SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPE

摘要

A probe for a near field scanning microscope and a method for manufacturing the probe are disclosed. A tip of the probe is sharpened and a transition portion 6 in a boundary zone between a base portion 5 and an elastic portion 4 is tapered. The elastic portion 4 has a cross-section that is smaller than that of the base portion 5. Also, a part of the elastic portion 4 may be shaped in a constricted region to increase the elasticity of the probe. The probe material is preferably an optical fiber having a core portion 2 that propagates light therethrough and a cladding portion 3 that differ in refractive index from each other. And the probe, except for an aperture at the tip, is coated by a metal film cladding 7. The advantage is a more flexible probe that permits soft or delicate surfaces to be scanned without damage to the surface or the probe tip. A further advantage is a microscope that can be used to investigate the optical characteristics as well as the surface topography of a sample.