Probing nanodefects in fused silica by near-field scanning optical microscopy

Abstract

Nanodefects were artificially introduced into fused silica surface by n&o-indenting with a commercial atomic force microscope (AFM). The sample was illuminated at total internal refkction configuration and evanescent waves were detected by near-field scanning optical probe in the constant tip-sample separation mode. The strain fields associated with non-indents were attributed to the contrast mechanism in optical images. Thus the optical image directly maps out the strain distributions associated with these nano-indents. Optical images were taken at different polarizations of the incident light (s and p). Due to different field distributions near sample surface for the two polarizations, strain distributions at different depth can be probed. The spatial resolution of this technique is hmited by the probe aperture size and detector sensitivity. This technique may be a useful tool to study laser-induced damage mechanisms in optical materials in microscopic scale.

Lasing in optimized two-dimensional iron-nail-shaped rod photonic crystals

“…2(b), because the center of the pattern functioned as a PBG mirror. 16 These results indicate that there is an optimal ∆R value to achieve a high-Q-factor BE mode by balancing the horizontal loss and vertical loss.…”

Tamm states and nonlinear surface modes in photonic crystals

“…Recent studies have demonstrated the application of optical surface states of photonic crystals for guiding light, the formation of high-quality micro cavities, and sub-wavelength imaging [19,20,21]. We expect that the nonlinear tunable Tamm states found here would provide substantial nonlinearity-induced control within these applications leading to novel all-optical surface devices such as optical limiters and switches.…”