State-selective optical near-field resonant ionization spectroscopy of atoms near a dielectric surface

Spin-sensitive optical near-field microscopy and spectroscopy are proposed based on the study on the conserved quantities in optical near-field intera ctions of atoms with dielectric surfaces. A two-step photoionization spectr a of Cs atoms resolving hyperfine structures are demonstrated near a planar dielectric surface by using evanescent waves. These techniques of state/sp in-selective excitation and highly sensitive detection, combined with the t echniques of optical pumping, will open up possibilities of space- and pola rization-sensitive detection of optical near-fields using atomic probes. Th is novel method provides us with a useful technique for the observation of polarization nature of the optical near-field and controlling the spin stat es of mesoscopic electronic systems.