Singlemode chalcogenide fiber infrared SNOM probes

We have fabricated and tested infrared scanning near-field optical microsco pe (IR-SNOM) probe tips made from singlemode chalcogenide fiber. The proces s used to create the tips was similar to conventional micropipette-puller t echniques, with some modifications to allow for the lower melting temperatu re and tensile strength of the chalcogenide fiber. SEM micrographs, showing tips with sub-micrometer physical dimensions, demonstrate the feasibility of this process. Topographical data obtained using a shear-force near-field microscope exhibits spatial resolution in the range 80-100 nm. Optical dat a in the infrared (near 3.5 mu m), using the probe tips in collection mode, indicates an optical spatial resolution approximately lambda/15. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. hll rights reserved.