POLARIZATION CONTRAST IN FLUORESCENCE SCANNING NEAR-FIELD OPTICAL REFLECTION MICROSCOPY

Polarization contrast is presented in fluorescence images of a Langmui r-Blodgett monolayer obtained with a scanning near-field optical micro scope operated in reflection. A tapered optical fiber is used both to excite and to collect the fluorescence. The lateral resolution in the reflection fluorescence image is estimated at 200 nm. Shear-force dete ction controls the tip-to-surface distance and simultaneously gives a topographic map. Direct correlation between topography and the fluores cent domain is thus obtained. We show that the fluorescence is polariz ed along the molecular orientation in the Langmuir-Blodgett monolayer. Thus we demonstrate the study of the polarization direction in the re flection mode.