Microprobe chip for detecting evanescent waves probe provided with the microprobe chip and evanescent wave detector, nearfield scanning optical microscope, and information regenerator provided with the microprobe chip

An apparatus for detecting evanescent waves comprising:

• a microprobe chip comprising a photoconductive material;
• a substrate provided with electrodes thereon for supporting said microprobe chip;
• a means for applying a voltage to said microprobe chip through said electrodes;
• and
• a means for detecting photocurrent flows in said microprobe chip through said electrodes,
• wherein said evanescent waves are detected as said photocurrent.

An apparatus for observing a surface of a test piece using evanescent waves, comprising:

• a microprobe chip comprising a photoconductive material and having a tip;
• a substrate provided with electrodes thereon for supporting said microprobe chip;
• a means for radiating light onto the test piece;
• a means for applying a voltage to said microprobe chip through said electrodes;
• and
• a means for detecting photocurrent flows in said microprobe chip through said electrodes,
• wherein evanescent waves occurring on the test piece responsive to irradiation with light are converted into photocurrent by said means for applying a voltage and said microprobe chip, and are detected as said photocurrent to provide surface information relating to the test piece.

An apparatus for regenerating information on a recording medium using evanescent waves, comprising:

• a microprobe chip comprising a photoconductive material and having a tip;
• a substrate provided with electrodes thereon for supporting the said microprobe chip;
• a means for radiating light onto the recording medium;
• a means for applying a voltage to said microprobe chip through said electrodes;
• and
• a means for detecting photocurrent flows in said microprobe chip through the electrode,
• wherein the evanescent waves occurring on the recording medium responsive to irradiation with light are converted into photocurrent by said means for applying a voltage and said microprobe chip, and are detected as said photocurrent to regenerate the information on the recording medium.