Patent ID: 7511512
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: G01N,G01Q

Abstract:
1. A probe comprising: a tubular conductor having an aperture at one end thereof; an electromagnetic wave transmitting unit for transmitting an electromagnetic wave, via said tubular conductor, to a position distant from the aperture; and an electromagnetic wave receiving unit for receiving an electromagnetic wave, via said tubular conductor, from the position distant from the aperture, wherein the electromagnetic wave transmitting unit is disposed at one of the inside and the outside of the tubular conductor, the electromagnetic wave receiving unit is disposed at the other of the inside and the outside of the tubular conductor, the size of the aperture is smaller than or equal to the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves transmitted and received at the outside and the inside of the tubular conductor are coupled through the aperture, and when an analyte to be observed is disposed so as to face the aperture, information of the analyte is obtained on the basis of a change in the coupling of the electromagnetic waves through the aperture.