Electromagnetic scanning tip for guiding and focusing electromagnetic radiation for e.g. for scanning near-field optical microscopy - has partial region transparent to EM radiation, and exit end region on whose outer surface quasi particulate polaritons can propagate

摘要

The scan tip (10) has an exit end (4) and a cross-section which tapers towards the exit end. The dimension of the cross-section in the region of the exit end is small in relation to the wavelength of the radiation. The tip has a first partial region (A) in which an unhindered propagation of the radiation is possible, in which the tip (10) has a cladding (2) around a dielectric core. The tip also has a second partial region (B) connected to the first partial region towards the exit end. This is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation in the lateral direction and along the surface of the tip has a length (L2). A third partial region (C) of the tip contains the exit end. Quasi-particulate polaritons can propagate along the outer surface of the third region. This region has a length (L1) along the tip surface.