The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 19, 2006
Filed:
Sep. 24, 2004
Takashi Niwa, Chiba, JP;
Kenji Kato, Chiba, JP;
Susumu Ichihara, Chiba, JP;
Norio Chiba, Chiba, JP;
Yasuyuki Mitsuoka, Chiba, JP;
Manabu Oumi, Chiba, JP;
Nobuyuki Kasama, Chiba, JP;
Takashi Niwa, Chiba, JP;
Kenji Kato, Chiba, JP;
Susumu Ichihara, Chiba, JP;
Norio Chiba, Chiba, JP;
Yasuyuki Mitsuoka, Chiba, JP;
Manabu Oumi, Chiba, JP;
Nobuyuki Kasama, Chiba, JP;
Seiko Instruments Inc., , JP;
Abstract
An optical microcantilever for a scanning near field microscope has an optical waveguide for propagating light. The optical waveguide has a longitudinal axis, a light input/output end, a free end opposite to the light input/output end, and a tip formed at the free end of the cantilever and having a microscopic aperture at an end thereof. A support section has a first portion supporting the optical waveguide, a second portion and a third portion. The second portion has an optical element guide channel formed in the support section for supporting an optical element acting on light entering the optical waveguide or on light exiting from the optical waveguide and for determining a position of the optical element. The third portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion and has a surface disposed at an angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide. The light input/output end of the optical waveguide projects above the third portion for reducing a coupling loss between the optical element and the optical waveguide.