2-DIMENSIONAL NEAR-FIELD INTENSITY DISTRIBUTION OF TAPERED FIBER PROBES

The near-field intensity distribution perpendicular to the light-propa gation direction was measured by photochemical processes on conjugated -polymer thin films. The shape of the distribution is elliptical, with the long axis along the direction of the incident polarization. The r esults are compared with calculations based on the realistic tapered p robe geometry. The asymmetry distribution is due to the simultaneous p resence of horizontal and vertical electric fields in the near field. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America