Transfer functions in collection scanning near-field optical microscopy

Citation
Si. Bozhevolnyi et al., Transfer functions in collection scanning near-field optical microscopy, OPT COMMUN, 172(1-6), 1999, pp. 171-179
Citations number
32
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Apllied Physucs/Condensed Matter/Materiales Science","Optics & Acoustics
Journal title
OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS
ISSN journal
0030-4018 → ACNP
Volume
172
Issue
1-6
Year of publication
1999
Pages
171 - 179
Database
ISI
SICI code
0030-4018(199912)172:1-6<171:TFICSN>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
It is generally accepted that, if in collection near-field optical microsco py the probe-sample coupling can be disregarded, a fiber probe can be consi dered as a detector of the near-field intensity whose size can be accounted for via an intensity transfer function. We show that, in general, this per ception is wrong and it is impossible to introduce such a transfer function for the detected signal. Instead, we introduce an amplitude coupling funct ion that relates the near-field amplitude and the amplitude of a mode guide d in a probe fiber toward a detector. Different experimental configurations are considered with respect to the relation between near-field optical ima ges and the corresponding intensity distributions. Our conclusions are supp orted with numerical simulations and experimental results obtained by using a photon scanning tunneling microscope with an uncoated fiber tip. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.