| abstract |
A near field optical microscope according to the present invention has (1) a single mode infrared optical fiber made from chalcogenide glass, chalcohalide glass, or a combination thereof, having a probe end adapted as a probe for near field optical microscopy, and further adapted for positioning within a near optical field of a sample; (2) a source of infrared light; for illuminating the sample; (3) a detector of infrared light; for detecting infrared light reflected from, emitted by, or transmitted through the sample, where at least one of the source of infrared light and the detector of infrared light are optically coupled to a distal end of the single mode infrared optical fiber. |