Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A probe control apparatus, comprising:a probe including,an optical fiber having a tapered end forming an apex,an electronically conductive transparent film formed on a surface of the tapered end, anda first metal film formed on a first surface of said optical fiber other than the surface of the tapered end and electrically connected to said electrically conductive transparent film;a vibrating unit configured to vibrate said probe in a vibrating motion perpendicular to a median axis of said probe;an amplitude detection unit configured to detect an amplitude of said probe;a distance controlling unit configured to control a distance between said probe and a sample;a voltage applying unit configured to apply a voltage between said probe and the sample; andan insulating unit configured to electrically insulate said amplitude detection unit from said probe,wherein said probe control apparatus controls a distance between an apex of said probe and the sample via a shear force gap control method. 2. The probe control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said voltage applying unit comprising:a pulse voltage applying unit configured to apply a pulse voltage between said probe and the sample in synchronization with a phase of the vibrating motion of said probe. 3. The probe control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of said first metal film is no less than 5 mm and the thickness of said first metal film is from 0.2 μm to 10 μm. 4. The probe control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe further includes:a second metal film formed on a second surface of said optical fiber other than the surface of the tapered end, said second metal film being no less than 10 μm thick; anda transitional metal film formed on a third surface of said optical fiber other than the surface of the tapered end and connecting said first metal film with said second metal film, said transitional metal film having a thickness that continuously increases along a direction from said first metal film to said second metal film. 5. The probe control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe further includes:a material configured to prevent transmission of light from said electrically conductive transparent film to portions of the tapered end other than the apex.