Ultra High Power NSOM Probe Based on Low Loss High Refractive
Index Contrast Nanoscale Tip Integrated with Laser and Detector
Near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) offers the use of
a nano-dimension light energy source with a diameter much
smaller than the wavelength of light to achieve resolutions
significantly (around 10 times) better than that of the usual
optical microscope. NSOM has found wide usages and become an
important measurement instrument for nano-technologies, nano-
manufacturing, optical technologies, bio-technologies, and
nanoscale science and engineering experimentations. However, the
current NSOM probes can only provide nano-Watts optical output
power which severely limits the applications of NSOM. This is
because current technology uses very lossy metal-coated tip to
produce the small light source. The proposed technology in this
DOE proposal based on a new approach involving a nano-waveguide
technology will enable much higher optical output power from
NSOM probes that is 100 to 10,0