Waveguide analysis of heat-drawn and chemically etched probe tips for scanning near-field optical microscopy

Peter N. Moar*, John D. Love, François Ladouceur, Laurence W. Cahill

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We analyze two basic aspects of a scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM) probe's operation: (i) spot-size evolution of the electric field along the probe with and without a metal layer, and (ii) a modal analysis of the SNOM probe, particularly in close proximity to the aperture. A slab waveguide model is utilized to minimize the analytical complexity, yet provides useful quantitative results-including losses associated with the metal coating-which can then be used as design rules.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6442-6456
Number of pages15
JournalApplied Optics
Volume45
Issue number25
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2006

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