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6 - Localization of light with near-field probes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2012

Lukas Novotny  and
Bert Hecht
Lukas Novotny
Affiliation:
University of Rochester, New York and ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Bert Hecht
Affiliation:
Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany
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Summary

Near-field optical probes, such as laser-irradiated apertures or metal tips, are the key components of the near-field microscopes discussed in the previous chapter. No matter in which configuration a probe is used, the achievable resolution depends on how well the probe is able to confine the optical energy. This chapter discusses light propagation and light confinement in different probes. Fundamental properties are discussed and an overview of fabrication methods is provided. The most common optical probes are (1) uncoated tapered glass fibers, (2) aperture probes, and (3) pointed metal/semiconductor structures and resonant-particle probes. The reciprocity theorem of electromagnetism states that a signal remains unchanged upon exchange of source and detector (see Chapter 2.13). We therefore consider all probes as localized sources of light.

Light propagation in a conical transparent dielectric probe

Transparent dielectric probes can be modeled as infinitely long glass rods with a conical and pointed end. The analytically known HE11 waveguide mode, incident from the infinite cylindrical glass rod and polarized in the x-direction, excites the field in the conical probe. For weakly guiding fibers, the modes are usually designated LP (linearly polarized). In this case, the fundamental LP01 mode corresponds to the HE11 mode. The tapered, conical part of the probe may be represented as a series of disks with decreasing diameters and infinitesimal thicknesses. At each intersection, the HE11 field distribution adapts to the distribution appropriate for the next slimmer section.

Type
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Principles of Nano-Optics , pp. 165 - 200
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2012

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