Method for external excitation of subwavelength light sources that is integrated into feedback methodologies
OwnerAaron Lewisinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of externally exciting a subwavelength source includes illuminating with a first wavelength of light a material capable of excitation to produce a second wavelength of light, the material being mounted in an aperture movable with respect to a sample. The second wavelength light illuminates the sample, which is in the near field of the material producing the second wavelength light. The method further includes moving the material with respect to the sample, and sensing forces produced between the impinging second wavelength light and the sample for near field optical microscopy. Alternatively, the location of the material with respect to the sample is controlled, as for optical lithography.
Claims15
A method of external excitation of a subwavelength light source, comprising:
- externally exciting, by means of a large light source which produces light at one wavelength, a material which is capable of producing light at a different wavelength;
- holding said material in a subwavelength tip of a device to aperture the light produced in the material, the large, exciting light source being nonguided and nonapertured until it reaches a confined space within said subwavelength tip containing the light producing material;
- and
- differentiating with an optical element the wavelengths of the non-apertured large light source and the subwavelength light source.
An externally excited subwavelength light source, comprising:
- a receptacle having an aperture;
- a source of excitation light;
- means directing light of a first wavelength from said source toward said receptacle;
- and
- a material capable, upon excitation by light of said first wavelength, of producing light at a second, different wavelength, said material being located within said aperture, wherein said aperture has a dimension smaller than said second wavelength, and wherein said means directing light of said first wavelength is external of said receptacle and is non-apertured and free of guide tubes or fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.