Probe unit for near-field optical scanning microscope
US5294790A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/862
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hole is formed in a silicon substrate, passing through the substrate. An insulating film is formed on one face of the silicon substrate and one open end of the hole is thus closed by the insulating film. An antireflection film is attached to that area of the insulating film by which the one open end of the hole is closed. An optical fiber is fitted and fixed in the hole. An optically-transparent conical probe is formed on the area of the insulating film which corresponds to the hole in the silicon substrate and the probe is coated by a metal film while leaving a tip of the probe not coated. A fine aperture is thus formed at the tip of the probe to allow light to enter into the probe through the fine aperture. The metal film prevents light reflected from entering into the probe and light from being leaked from the probe, and it is connected to an electrode to use tunnel current to position the fine aperture near a sample.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.