Quantitative amplitude and phase measurement by use of a heterodyne scanning near-field optical microscope

ii coherent photon scanning tunneling microscope is presented. The setup em ploys heterodyne interferometry, allowing both the phase and the amplitude of the optical near field to be measured. Experimental results of measureme nts on a standing evanescent wave reveal the high resolution that is obtain able with such an approach. In fact we have measured the amplitude and the phase of the near field, with a resolution of 1.6 nm between sample points. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 240.7040, 120.5050, 180.58 10, 120.4640.