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US5789742A
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Near-field scanning optical microscope probe exhibiting resonant plasmon excitation
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1996-10-28
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Granted: 1998-08-04
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Expires: 2016-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A tapered probe tip for use in near-field scanning optical microscopy is coated with a sheath of metal material having a plasma frequency comparable to optical frequencies. Alternatively, the sheath material has lower energy plasmons. The preferred sheath material is silver. Other preferred sheath materials are potassium, Rb, cesium, tungsten oxide, sodium tungsten oxide and Re oxide.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Wolff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01Q; G01Q60/00; G01Q60/18; G01Q60/22; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y20/00; B82Y35/00; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A probe for use in a near-field scanning optical microscope comprising: an optical waveguide having a core and a sheath for coupling light at an optical frequency from a light source to a specimen to be examined; said waveguide having a taper region terminating in an aperture having a dimension smaller than the wavelength of the light traveling therethrough; and said sheath material having a plasma frequency comparable to the frequency of the light traveling through said waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A probe for use in a near-field scanning optical microscope comprising: an optical waveguide having a core and a sheath for coupling light at an optical frequency from a light source to a specimen to be examined; said waveguide having a taper region terminating in an aperture having a dimension smaller than the wavelength of the light traveling therethrough; and said sheath material having a plasma frequency comparable to the frequency of the light traveling through said waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A probe as set forth in claim 1, where said plasma frequency is substantially in the range between approximately 2.9 eV and 3.8 eV.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe as set forth in claim 1, where said sheath material is selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium and cesium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A probe as set forth in claim 1, where said sheath material is silver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A probe for use in a near-field scanning optical microscope comprising: an optical waveguide having a core and a sheath for coupling light at an optical frequency from a light source to a specimen to be examined; said waveguide having a taper region terminating in an aperture having a dimension smaller than the wavelength of the light traveling therethrough; and said sheath material having low energy plasmons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A probe for use in a near-field scanning optical microscope comprising: an optical waveguide having a core and a sheath for coupling light at an optical frequency from a light source to a specimen to be examined; said waveguide having a taper region terminating in an aperture having a dimension smaller than the wavelength of the light traveling therethrough; and said sheath material having low energy plasmons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A probe as set forth in claim 5, where said low energy plasmon is below approximately 2 eV.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A probe as set forth in claim 5, where said sheath material is selected from the group consisting of WO 3 , Na x WO 3 and ReO 3 .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope including a light source, a waveguide for coupling light at an optical frequency from the light source to a specimen to be examined, the waveguide terminating with a probe, means for causing relative scanning motion between the probe and the specimen, photomultiplier means disposed for receiving light from the specimen and display means coupled to the photomultiplier means for displaying images of the specimens, wherein said probe comprises: an optical waveguide having a core and a sheath for coupling light at an optical frequency from a light source to a specimen to be examined; said waveguide having a taper region terminating in an aperture having a dimension smaller than the wavelength of the light traveling therethrough; and said sheath material having a plasma frequency comparable to the frequency of the light traveling through said waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
140 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope including a light source, a waveguide for coupling light at an optical frequency from the light source to a specimen to be examined, the waveguide terminating with a probe, means for causing relative scanning motion between the probe and the specimen, photomultiplier means disposed for receiving light from the specimen and display means coupled to the photomultiplier means for displaying images of the specimens, wherein said probe comprises: an optical waveguide having a core and a sheath for coupling light at an optical frequency from a light source to a specimen to be examined; said waveguide having a taper region terminating in an aperture having a dimension smaller than the wavelength of the light traveling therethrough; and said sheath material having a plasma frequency comparable to the frequency of the light traveling through said waveguide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope as set forth in claim 8, where said plasma frequency is substantially in the range between approximately 2.9 eV and 3.8 eV.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope as set forth in claim 8, where said sheath material is selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, and cesium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope as set forth in claim 8, where said sheath material is silver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
129 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope including a light source, a waveguide for coupling light at an optical frequency from the light source to a specimen to be examined, the waveguide terminating with a probe, means for causing relative scanning motion between the probe and the specimen, photomultiplier means disposed for receiving light from the specimen and display means coupled to the photmultiplier means for displaying images of the specimen, wherein said probe comprises: an optical waveguide having a core and a sheath for coupling light at an optical frequency from a light source to a specimen to be examined; said waveguide having a taper region terminating in an aperture having a dimension smaller than the wavelength of the light traveling therethrough; and said sheath material having low energy plasmons.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope including a light source, a waveguide for coupling light at an optical frequency from the light source to a specimen to be examined, the waveguide terminating with a probe, means for causing relative scanning motion between the probe and the specimen, photomultiplier means disposed for receiving light from the specimen and display means coupled to the photmultiplier means for displaying images of the specimen, wherein said probe comprises: an optical waveguide having a core and a sheath for coupling light at an optical frequency from a light source to a specimen to be examined; said waveguide having a taper region terminating in an aperture having a dimension smaller than the wavelength of the light traveling therethrough; and said sheath material having low energy plasmons.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope as set forth in claim 12, where said low energy plasmon is below approximately 2 eV.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A near-field scanning optical microscope as set forth in claim 12, where said sheath material is selected from the group consisting of WO 3 , Na x WO 3 and ReO 3 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-03 | 2002-02-02 | 2002-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-03 | 2006-02-02 | 2006-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-03 | 2010-02-02 | 2010-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |