MIKROSKOPISCHES VERFAHREN UND ''NAHFELD''- REFLEXIONSMIKROSKOP.

摘要

The present invention relates to a reflexion near field microscopy method, of the type of surface scanning by means of an optical probe such as particularly a wave guide (6) wherein an appropriately coherent electromagnetic wave is injected, for example issued from a laser (2), the process being characterized in that the extremity of such wave guide (8, 18) is approached to a distance from the surface to be studied (12) such that the coefficient of coupling between the proper mode of propagation of said wave guide (8, 18) and the propagation mode of the electric field of the wave reflected by said surface (12) and guided in its return by the same wave guide (8, 18) shows an increase substantially exponential as said extremity approaches the surface (12). The field of the invention is particularly microscopy with scanning by purely optical means, and with nanometric resolutions. The invention may also be intended to optical control of the distance between a given surface and an instrument to be displaced above said surface, and particularly any instrument of the type used in microlithography of integrated circuits.