Near-field scanning optical microscope and its applications

摘要

PURPOSE: To provide an optical system provided with high resolution and reliability capable of efficiently transmitting light. CONSTITUTION: The light emitted from a light source is radiated through the optical opening of a probe 20 to a target object and detected. The probe 20 is composed of a part of an optical fiber having a core and a clad and is provided with a tapered area tapered in terms of heat insulation. A clad outer surface inside the tapered area is smoothed and a part thereof is coated with metal and forms a metal waveguide part. The diameter of the terminating surface of the tapered area is determined to be equal to or less than a metal mode cut-off diameter.