We report the emergent optical near field profiles from standard single mode optical fibers on the cleaved end of which were deposited particle-layers of SnO2. The layers, composed of micron and sub-micron sized particles, were deposited by means of the simple and low cost Electrostatic Spray Pyrolysis (ESP) technique. Powerful analytical tools such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) were used to obtain simultaneously the topography of the SnO2layers and the related distribution of the intensity of the optical near field when the fiber-substrate is illuminated by a light radiation in the NIR range. We show that isolated microstructures, positioned in correspondence of the fiber core, reveal highly unusual capability of locally enhancing the optical near field. The observed phenomenon could lead to new concepts of fiber optic chemical sensors and in fiber microsystems as well. © 2006 Optical Society of America.
Near field behaviour of SnO2particle-layers deposited on optical fibers: New perspectives for sensing applications
Consales, M.;Pisco, M.;Cutolo, A.;Cusano, A.
2006-01-01
Abstract
We report the emergent optical near field profiles from standard single mode optical fibers on the cleaved end of which were deposited particle-layers of SnO2. The layers, composed of micron and sub-micron sized particles, were deposited by means of the simple and low cost Electrostatic Spray Pyrolysis (ESP) technique. Powerful analytical tools such as Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) were used to obtain simultaneously the topography of the SnO2layers and the related distribution of the intensity of the optical near field when the fiber-substrate is illuminated by a light radiation in the NIR range. We show that isolated microstructures, positioned in correspondence of the fiber core, reveal highly unusual capability of locally enhancing the optical near field. The observed phenomenon could lead to new concepts of fiber optic chemical sensors and in fiber microsystems as well. © 2006 Optical Society of America.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
