Patent ID: 8296861

Claim:
An optical microscope, comprising: a light source that generates and emits light having a first intensity; a probe tip, wherein the probe tip is disposed within the path of the light from the light source; a lens disposed between the light source and the probe tip, wherein the lens focuses the light from the light source adjacent the probe tip; and a means for changing a polarization of the light from the light source, wherein the means for changing a polarization alternates the polarization of the light between only a first direction and only a second direction such that the polarization of the light directly alternates between only the first direction and only the second direction, wherein a region of high intensity light that has a greater intensity than the first intensity is created adjacent an end of the probe tip only when the means for changing a polarization of the light polarizes the light in the first direction, and wherein only light of the first intensity is present adjacent the end of the probe tip when the means for changing a polarization of the light polarizes the light in the second direction.