Far-infrared near-field microscope

Reimund Merz

doi:10.1117/12.2297907

1 October 1991 Far-infrared near-field microscope

Reimund Merz

Proceedings Volume 1576, 16th International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves; 15765E (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2297907
Event: 16th International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 1991, Lausanne, Switzerland

Abstract

The resolving power of classical optical microscopy is restricted to about one half of the wavelength because of diffraction. In the far infrared this limits the resolution to a rather macroscopic scale of about 100 μm. On the other hand it is well known that a truely microscopic confinement of radiation much below the diffraction limit can be obtained by using a transmitting aperture smaller than the wavelength. In this case the illuminating field consists primarily of evanescent waves bound to the aperture. The object to be investigated is placed within this field at a small distance less than the diameter of the aperture. Examples of λ/20 resolution have been given both at visible and at microwave frequencies.^1,2 Massey reported on a near field microscope with a resolution of λ/4 for the far infrared.³

Citation Download Citation

Reimund Merz "Far-infrared near-field microscope", Proc. SPIE 1576, 16th International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 15765E (1 October 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2297907

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