A near-field optical microscope operated simultaneously in reflection
and transmission modes is demonstrated. A low noise, large area Si pho
todetector was mounted directly between the PZT scanning stage and the
sample for the transmission measurement. In reflection mode, either a
PMT or two large area Si detectors were used for the signal collectio
n. In addition, a simple method for measuring the actual vibrational a
mplitude in the shear force microscope was also discussed.