Method for sharpening a probe

In a method for manufacturing a probe having a sharpened tip by immersing one part of a probe preform in a liquid disposed in a container and having at least two liquid layers including an etch solution for etching the probe preform and a non-etch solution which is lower in specific gravity than that of the etch solution and which is immiscible with the etch solution, the step of:

• moving the probe preform along a longitudinal axis thereof in both upward and downward directions relative to a surface of the etch solution to thereby etch an end of the part of the probe preform into a sharp tapered tip having a preselected taper angle.

In a method for manufacturing a probe having a sharpened tip by immersing one part of an optical fiber in a liquid disposed in a container and having at least two liquid layers including an etch solution for etching the optical fiber and a non-etch solution which is lower in specific gravity than that of the etch solution and which is immiscible with the etch solution, the steps of:

• moving the optical fiber along a longitudinal axis thereof in both upward and downward directions relative to a surface of the etch solution to thereby etch an end of the part of the optical fiber into a sharp tapered tip having a preselected taper angle;
• and introducing light during etching into the optical fiber from an end opposite the etched end thereof for monitoring the etching advancement in accordance with a change in an emission state from the optical fiber in the etch solution.

In a method for manufacturing a probe having a sharpened tip by immersing one part of a probe preform in a liquid disposed in a container and having at least two liquid layers including an etch solution for etching the probe preform and a non-etch solution which is lower in specific gravity than that of the etch solution and which is immiscible with the etch solution, the steps of:

• moving the probe preform into the etch and non-etch solutions during etching along a longitudinal axis of the probe preform and at a speed which does not exceed a taper length forming speed for a probe preform which is not moved in the etch and non-etch solutions during etching to thereby etch an end of the part of the probe preform into a sharp tapered tip having a taper angle greater than that obtained for a probe preform which is not moved during etching;
• and reinserting the sharp tapered tip of the probe into the etch solution to further etch the sharp tapered tip.

A method for sharpening a probe, comprising the steps of:

• providing a probe preform having a longitudinal axis;
• at least partially immersing the probe preform in a mixture containing at least an etch solution;
• and moving the probe preform in the etch solution along the longitudinal axis thereof during etching at a speed which does not exceed a taper length forming speed for a probe preform which is not moved in the etch solution during etching to thereby etch an end of the probe preform into a sharp tapered tip having a taper angle greater than that obtained for a probe preform which is not moved during etching.