Optical microcantilever
First Claim
1. An optical microcantilever for a scanning near field microscope, the optical microcantilever comprising:
- an optical waveguide having a light input/output end, a free end for propagating light incident from the light input/output end, a first side, and a second side opposite to the first side;
a tip formed on the first side and at the free end of the optical waveguide and having a microscopic aperture;
a light-blocking film disposed on the first side of the optical waveguide;
a reflecting film disposed on the second side of the optical waveguide; and
a reflecting member forming part of the reflecting film and disposed at the free end of the optical waveguide, the reflecting member having a generally planar surface for reflecting light propagated from the light input/output end of the optical waveguide and for guiding the reflected light towards the microscopic aperture of the tip, or for reflecting light propagated from the microscopic aperture towards the light input/output end of the optical waveguide.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical microcantilever has an optical waveguide for propagating light. The optical waveguide has a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a tip portion formed on the first side and at a free end of the optical waveguide. The tip portion has a microscopic aperture. A light blocking film is disposed on the first side of the optical waveguide. A reflecting film is disposed on the second side of the optical waveguide. A reflecting member forms part of the reflecting film and is disposed at the free end of the optical waveguide. The reflecting member has a generally planar surface for reflecting light propagated by the optical waveguide and for guiding the reflected light towards the microscopic aperture to generate near-field light at the microscopic aperture.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An optical microcantilever for a scanning near field microscope, the optical microcantilever comprising:
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an optical waveguide having a light input/output end, a free end for propagating light incident from the light input/output end, a first side, and a second side opposite to the first side;
a tip formed on the first side and at the free end of the optical waveguide and having a microscopic aperture;
a light-blocking film disposed on the first side of the optical waveguide;
a reflecting film disposed on the second side of the optical waveguide; and
a reflecting member forming part of the reflecting film and disposed at the free end of the optical waveguide, the reflecting member having a generally planar surface for reflecting light propagated from the light input/output end of the optical waveguide and for guiding the reflected light towards the microscopic aperture of the tip, or for reflecting light propagated from the microscopic aperture towards the light input/output end of the optical waveguide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15)
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9. An optical microcantilever comprising:
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an optical waveguide for propagating light and having a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a tip portion formed on the first side and at a free end of the optical waveguide, the tip portion having a microscopic aperture;
a light blocking film disposed on the first side of the optical waveguide;
a reflecting film disposed on the second side of the optical waveguide; and
a reflecting member forming part of the reflecting film and disposed at the free end of the optical waveguide, the reflecting member having a generally planar surface for reflecting light propagated by the optical waveguide and for guiding the reflected light towards the microscopic aperture to generate near-field light at the microscopic aperture. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 16, 17, 18)
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12. An optical microcantilever comprising:
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an optical waveguide for propagating light and having a longitudinal axis, a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, and a tip portion formed on the first side and at a free end of the optical waveguide, the tip portion having a microscopic aperture;
a reflecting film disposed on the second side of the optical waveguide; and
a reflecting member forming part of the reflecting film and being disposed on at least a portion of the optical waveguide, the reflecting member having a generally planar surface disposed proximate the free end of the optical waveguide at a preselected angle relative to the longitudinal axis for reflecting light propagated by the optical waveguide and for guiding the reflected light towards the microscopic aperture to generate near-field light at the microscopic aperture. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification