Superresolution imaging fiber for subwavelength light energy generation and near-field optical microscopy

A method for making a superresolution imaging fiber comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a preformed, unitary fiber optic array of predetermined configuration and dimensions comprised of a plurality of optical fiber strands disposed co-axially along their lengths and having two discrete optic array ends each formed of multiple optical fiber strand ends and strand end faces;
• pulling and heating one of said discrete optic array ends to form tapered multiple optical fiber strand ends of reduced thickness each of which presents a tapered strand end face limited in size to a range from about 2 nanometers to about 1,000 nanometers in diameter, said tapered multiple strand end faces collectively presenting a tapered optic array end surface;
• and
• applying an opaque metal coating over said tapered optic array end surface and as an overlay to said tapered multiple optical fiber strand end faces to form a plurality of open-ended opaque metal tubes each having a size-limited end aperture ranging from about 2 nanometers to less than about 1,000 nanometers in diameter.

A method for making a superresolution imaging fiber comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a preformed, unitary fiber optic array of predetermined configuration and dimensions comprised of a plurality of optical fiber strands disposed co-axially along their lengths and having two discrete optic array ends each formed of multiple optical fiber strand ends and strand end faces;
• etching one of said discrete optic array ends to form tapered multiple optical fiber strand ends of reduced thickness each of which presents a tapered strand end face limited in size to a range from about 2 nanometers to about 1,000 nanometers in diameter, said tapered multiple strand end faces collectively presenting a tapered optic array end surface;
• and
• applying an opaque metal coating over said tapered optic array end surface and as an overlay to said tapered multiple optical fiber strand end faces to form a plurality of open-ended opaque metal tubes each having a size-limited end aperture ranging from about 2 nanometers to less than about 1,000 nanometers in diameter.

A method for making a superresolution imaging fiber comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a preformed, unitary fiber optic array of predetermined configuration and dimensions comprised of a plurality of optical fiber strands disposed co-axially along their lengths and having two discrete optic array ends each formed of multiple optical fiber strand ends and strand end faces;
• pulling and heating one of said discrete optic array end to form tapered multiple optical fiber strand ends of reduced thickness each of which presents a tapered strand end face;
• etching said pulled and heated optic array end to form sharply tapered multiple optical fiber end strands each of which presents a sharply tapered end face limited in size to a range from about 2 nanometers to about 1,000 nanometers in diameter, said sharply tapered multiple strand end faces collectively presenting a tapered optic array end surface;
• and
• applying an opaque metal coating over said tapered optic array end surface and as an overlay to said sharply tapered multiple optical fiber strand end faces to form a plurality of open-ended opaque metal tubes each having a size-limited end aperture ranging from about 2 nanometers to less than about 1,000 nanometers in diameter.