Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM, also known as NSOM) is a new local probe technique with a resolving power of 10--50 nm. Not being limited by diffraction, near-field optics (NFO) opens new perspectives for optical characterization and the understanding of optical phenomena, in particular in biology, microelectronics and materials science. SNOM, after first demonstrations in '83/'84, has undergone a rapid development in the past two to four years. The increased interest has been largely stimulated by the wealth of optical properties that can be investigated and the growing importance of characterization on the nanometer scale in general. Examples include the use of fluorescence, birefrigence and plasmon effects for applications in particular in biology, microelectronics and materials science, to name just a few. This volume emerged from the first international meeting devoted exclusively to NFO, and comprises a complete survey of the 1992 activities in the field, in particular the variety of instrumental techniques that are currently being explored, the demonstration of the imaging capabilities as well as theoretical interpretations - a highly nontrivial task. The comprehensive collection of papers devoted to these and related subjects make the book a valuable tool for anybody interested in near-field optics.

A complete guide to one of the most revolutionary technologies in the history of imaging Near-field microscopes combine the richness of optical analysis, the noninvasive character of light, and the wide variety of sample environments of conventional microscopes with the finer spatial resolution of alternative technologies. Near-Field Optics combines an introduction to near-field optical theory with a handbook and reference for the practice and application of near-field microscopy. Michael A. Paesler and Patrick J. Moyer provide the most comprehensive presentation available on the instrumentation and operation of near-field microscopes. Writing from the viewpoint of the scientist who wants to apply these revolutionary instruments in a laboratory setting, the authors: * Explain the pertinent optical theory and provide a developmental history of near-field instruments * Discuss imaging theory and its application in the near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) * Explore the optical behavior of elements that provide the near-field/far-field connection in an NSOM * Provide operational how-to's for NSOMs * Examine the theory and operation of optical tunneling microscopes with special emphasis on the photon tunneling microscope (PTM) * Enumerate contrast mechanisms available to the near-field microscopist * Describe the application of near-field techniques in biology, materials science, surface chemistry, and information storage

This book contains the most recent information on optical nanoscopy. Far-Field and Near-Field properties on e.m. waves are presented which illustrate how optical images can be obtained from sub-micron objects. Scanning Probe techniques and computer processing are covered here. An explanation is given on how propagating photons or evanescent waves can behave over distances shorter than the wavelength, taking into account the presence of small objects. Quantum tunneling of photons is explained comparatively with the electron mechanism. Technical details are given on photon tunneling microscopes. Typical results already obtained with these techniques are also described.

This up-to-date overview describes in detail the physics of localized surface plasmon polaritons excited near fine metallic structures and the principles of near-field optics and microscopy related to this localized field. It also covers wider fields, from local spectroscopy to atom manipulation.

Near-field optics, dealing with the interaction between optical field and matter in the nanometric region, has become an interdisciplinary field spaning physics, chemistry, materials science, electrical engineering and high density data storage. This book reflects the recent status of this rapidly growing field. It discusses the basic theories, instrumentation, novel probes, theoretical simulations, and the application of near-field optics to the fields of condensed matter physics, new materials, information storage, atom photonics, etc. It provides an overview of the research on near-field optics in the 1990s.

Near-field optics studies the behaviour of light fields in the vicinity of matter, where light is structured in propagating and evanescent fields. Near-field optical microscopy is the straightforward application of near-field optics.This textbook provides an overview for undergraduates and anyone who has an interest in peculiar optical phenomena, and serves as a technical manual for engineers and researchers. It consists of 12 chapters dealing with the history of near-field optics, non-radiating optics, optical noise, inverse problems, theory, instrumentation and applications; there is an appendix including the basic elements of Fourier optics and Maxwell equations.

Covers not only near-field optical microscopy but also wider fields such as local spectroscopy, nano-scale optical processing, quantum near-field optics, and atom manipulation.