Near-field optical microscope with infrared fiber probe

Patent 6285811 Issued on September 4, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 25, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Near-field lorentz force microscopy
Patent #: 4992659
Issued on: 02/12/1991
Inventor: Abraham, et al.

Scanning microscope comprising force-sensing means and position-sensitive photodetector
Patent #: 5254854
Issued on: 10/19/1993
Inventor: Betzig

Scanning near field optical microscope
Patent #: 5894122
Issued on: 04/13/1999
Inventor: Tomita

Infrared optical fiber coupler Patent #: 5949935
Issued on: 09/07/1999
Inventor: Schaafsma, et al.

Inventors

Application

No. 267919 filed on 02/25/1999

US Classes:

385/31, Input/output coupler250/206, Photocell controlled circuit385/32, Coupling light through a waveguide bend or loop385/34Rod type

Examiners

Primary: Font, Frank G.
Assistant: Nguyen, Son T.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Karasek; John J., Marciniszyn; Jane B.

International Class

G02B 006/32

Abstract

A near field optical microscope according to the present invention has (1) a single mode infrared optical fiber made from chalcogenide glass, chalcohalide glass, or a combination thereof, having a probe end adapted as a probe for near field optical microscopy, and further adapted for positioning within a near optical field of a sample; (2) a source of infrared light; for illuminating the sample; (3) a detector of infrared light; for detecting infrared light reflected from, emitted by, or transmitted through the sample, where at least one of the source of infrared light and the detector of infrared light are optically coupled to a distal end of the single mode infrared optical fiber.