[OPTICAL REVIEW Vol. 8, No. 1 (2001) 54-58]
Finite Difference Time Domain Calculations Combined with Analytical Methods for Study of Near-Field Optical Probe
Manabu OUMI
Seiko Instruments Inc., Takatsuka Unit, 563 Takatsuka-Shinden, Matsudo, Chiba, 270-2222 Japan
(Received August 30, 2000; Accepted November 24, 2000)
The finite difference time domain method is combined with eigenmode analysis of the waveguide and the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral to study the field distribution and the throughput of the near-field optical probe. This includes a waveguide, a Si substrate with Al coating, and a subwavelength aperture. It is found that the optics inside the probe and the optical properties of the probe depend strongly on the field distribution of the incident light.
Key words : finite difference time domain, near-field probe, waveguide, Si substrate, subwavelength aperture, analytical methods, incident light field