Patent ID: 8568598
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tip type probe manufacturing method of manufacturing a tip type probe having a metal film on side surfaces of a truncated pyramid having a top surface bounded by the side surfaces and capable of generating near-field light from the top surface, comprising the steps of: forming an etching mask of a shape similar to a shape of the top surface on a substrate; forming the truncated pyramid by subjecting the substrate to isotropic etching using the etching mask; stopping the isotropic etching when an area of the top surface reaches an area capable of generating near-field light; and forming the metal film on at least some of the side surfaces by allowing film forming particles to enter into a space between the etching mask and the side surfaces and adhere onto the truncated pyramid while controlling the directivity of the film forming particles with respect to the substrate so that the metal film adhered to the side surfaces has a thickness that is reduced gradually from a bottom of the truncated pyramid toward the top surface.