Patent ID: 6229609
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: G01Q,G02B,Y10S

Abstract:
A scanning near-field optic/atomic force microscope for observing topography and optical characteristics of a surface of a sample, the microscope comprising:a sharpened probe having a hook-shaped front end portion provided with an optical hole for passing light at a sharpened end thereof and having light-reflecting means on a part thereof for reflecting light;a light source and optics for irradiating the sample with light;a photoelectric converter and optics for receiving at least one of a light transmitted through the sample or a light reflected by the sample;a laser source for producing laser light for detecting deflections of the sharpened probe;a condenser lens for directing the laser light to the light-reflecting means on the sharpened probe;detecting means for detecting light reflected from the light-reflecting means;moving means for effecting relative movement between the sample and the sharpened probe;control means for controlling a distance between the surface of the sample and a front end of the sharpened probe; andmeans for vertically vibrating the front end of the sharpened probe and the sample relative to each other.