Klein Angela E, Schmidt Carsten, Liebsch Mattes, Janunts Norik, Dobynde Mikhail, Tünnermann Andreas, Pertsch Thomas
Opt Lett. 2014 Mar 1;39(5):1157-60. doi: 10.1364/OL.39.001157.
We propose a method for mapping optical near-fields with the help of a thermocouple scanning-probe microscope tip. As the tip scans the sample surface, its apex is heated by light absorption, generating a thermovoltage. The thermovoltage map represents the intensity distribution of light at the sample surface. The measurement technique has been employed to map optical whispering-gallery modes in fused silica microdisk resonators operating at near-infrared wavelengths. The method could potentially be employed for near-field imaging of a variety of systems in the near-infrared and visible spectral range.
