Abstract: A metallic film has apertures located therein in an array arranged in a pattern so that when light is incident on the apertures, surface plasmons on the metallic film are perturbed resulting in an enhanced transmission of the light emitted from individual apertures in the array. The aperture array is used: to filter light of predetermined wavelength traversing the apertures, to collect light over a distance after traversing the apertures, to improve operation of near-field scanning optical microscopes, and to enhance light transmission through masks useable in photolithography.

Abstract: A subwavelength-resolution optical imaging device is provided for conveying light having a wavelength .lambda. that is emitted, reflected or transmitted by a sample. The device comprises a coherent fiber bundle, which itself comprises a plurality of optical fibers disposed substantially coaxially along their lengths. Each optical fiber also comprises a core having an index of refraction n.sub.1 and a cladding having an index of refraction n.sub.2 thereby providing a value .DELTA., where: ##EQU1## Light is effectively confined within the core of each fiber without need for a separate coating applied to the fibers by selecting the values of n.sub.1 and n.sub.2 for each optical fiber so as to provide a value for .DELTA.

Abstract: A metallic film has apertures located therein in an array arranged in a pattern so that when light is incident on the apertures, surface plasmons on the metallic film are perturbed resulting in an enhanced transmission of the light emitted from individual apertures in the array. The aperture array is used: to filter light of predetermined wavelength traversing the apertures, to collect light over a distance after traversing the apertures, to improve operation of near-field scanning optical microscopes, and to enhance light transmission through masks useable in photolithography.

Abstract: A near-field optical microscope is provided having a tip or tapered optical fiber light guide mounted directly in a hole drilled in the center of a microlens which itself is mounted in a piezoelectric tube for dithering. The tip of the tapered fiber is positioned at the front focal point of the lens. Light emanating from the region just about the tip is thus collected and collimated by the lens. A second lens, further down the optical path next focuses the beam into another fiber for transmission to a photon detection and/or spectroscopic apparatus. This second fiber can alternatively be replaced by one or more image processing lenses or a coherent fiber bundle with the light being transmitted to a position sensitive detector to provide a direct image of the tip region. The microscope also includes a shear force dithering apparatus for control of fiber tip to sample distance.