Fabrication of high-quality fiber micro-probe for near-field optical microscope by laser-assisted melting and pulling method

Summary The fiber micro-probe for near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) was fabricated using end-fixed laser-assisted melting and pulling method. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that the fiber probes obtained by this method possessed small diameter of tip and large conic angle. The reproducibility came close to 70%. The effects of various fabrication parameters on probes were investigated, including laser power, pulling force, and the diameter of melting zone. The optimal processing conditions were derived based on the experiments and theoretical analysis. This research provides an alternative and advantageous method for fabrication of high-quality fiber probes.