title: Apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy for ion exchange channel waveguide characterization.
abstract: We report the characterization of an integrated Ag+/Na+ ion exchange waveguide realized in a silicate glass substrate using apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy. Our experimental set-up is based on the combination of a commercial atomic force microscope with an optical confocal detection system. Thanks to this system, the topography and evanescent optical field at the waveguide top surface are mapped simultaneously. Also, the process of apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy image formation is analysed. In particular, fringe patterns appearing in the image reveal the intrinsic interferometric nature of the collected signal, due to interference between the field scattered by the tip end and background fields related to guide losses. We give a quantitative interpretation of these fringes. Evanescent intensity mapping on the sample surface allowed us to extract physical waveguide parameters. In particular, it shows an unambiguous multimode beat along the waveguide propagation axis. Furthermore, we show that analysis of this intensity profile reveals back-reflection effects from the waveguide exit facet. The resulting standing waves pattern allows us to evaluate the eigenmode propagation constants.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Nanotechnologie et d'Instrumentation Optique, Université de Technologie de Troyes, 12 rue Marie Curie, BP2060, 10010 Troyes cedex, France. blaize@utt.fr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blaize
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aubert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruyant
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bachelot
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lerondel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Royer
authors.forename: J-E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Broquin
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Minier
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D007474:Ion Exchange; D007834:Lasers; D008433:Mathematics; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000295:instrumentation; D008961:Models, Structural; D012834:Silver / Q000032:analysis; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012834:Silver; D012964:Sodium