Patent ID: 7053351
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) for laser machining a feature on a surface of a microstructure workpiece using an ultrafast laser source, the NSOM comprising: the ultrafast laser source to generate pulses of laser light having pulse durations less than 1 ns and a peak wavelength; an NSOM probe having a substantially cylindrical shape, the NSOM probe including: an NSOM mount to controllably hold the NSOM probe and the microstructure workpiece, the NSOM mount including; an NSOM probe monitor coupled to the NSOM mount for determining a distance between the probe tip of the NSOM probe and the surface of the microstructure workpiece; an NSOM controller coupled to the NSOM probe monitor, the XY motion stage, and the Z motion stage, the NSOM controller controlling;