Abstract
Radiation and collection characteristics of four different
near-field optical-fiber probes, namely, three uncoated probes and
an aluminium-coated small-aperture probe, are investigated and
compared. Their radiation properties are characterized by
observation of light-induced topography changes in a
photo-sensitive film illuminated with the probes, and it is
confirmed that the radiated optical field is unambigiously
confined only for the coated probe. Near-field optical imaging of
a standing evanescent-wave pattern is used to compare the
detection characteristics of the probes, and it is concluded that,
for the imaging of optical-field intensity distributions
containing predominantly evanescent-wave components, a sharp
uncoated tip is the probe of choice. Complementary results
obtained with optical phase-conjugation experiments with he
uncoated probes are discussed in relation to the probe
characterization.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Applied Optics |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1792-1797 |
| Publication status | Published - 1999 |