Near field scanning optical microscope and applications thereof

摘要

An optical system for near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) includes a probe (20) that comprises a planar optical waveguide. This waveguide is tapered in at least one dimension, and at least an apical portion of the waveguide is coated with an opaque material. The taper is adapted such that radiation propagating in the taper region is substantially interconverted between a dielectric mode and a metallic mode. <IMAGE>