Method of fabricating optical aperture and method of fabricating probe for near field light device

A method of fabricating an optical aperture, comprising the steps of:

• providing an object having a substrate, a conical- or pyramidal-shaped tip disposed on the substrate, and an optical shielding film disposed at least on the tip;
• providing a pressing body having a a main surface and a stopper projecting from the main surface;
• disposing the main surface of the pressing body in confronting relation to the object;
• and
• bringing the pressing body into contact with the object so that a force component is directed to a front end of the tip to form an optical aperture at the front end of the tip.

A method of fabricating a probe for a near field light device, the method comprising the steps of:

• forming on a substrate a least one probe tip for transmitting light having a preselected wavelength;
• forming a stopper on the substrate so as to surround the probe tip;
• covering the probe tip with an optical shielding film;
• providing a pressing body having a generally flat surface portion;
• and
• forming an optical aperture at a front end of the probe tip by exerting a force simultaneously to the probe tip and the stopper using the flat surface of the pressing body.