title: Quantum theoretical approach to a near-field optical system.
abstract: The paper proposes a quantum theoretical formulation of an optical near-field system based on the projection-operator method. Special attention is paid to a nanometric probe tip-quantum mechanical sample system, whose interactions are essential for describing such phenomena as atom guidance and manipulation, or local excitation of a single quantum dot. The relationship to the virtual photon model--an intuitive model--is discussed, and the latter's empirical assumption of the Yukawa-type interaction between probe and sample is justified theoretically. Several applications of the theory are briefly outlined.
authors.affiliation: ERATO Ohtsu Localized Photon Project, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Machida, Tokyo. kkoba@ohtsu.jst.go.jp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohtsu