title: Etching gold tips suitable for tip-enhanced near-field optical microscopy.
abstract: We describe a simple method of fabricating gold tips for tip-enhanced near-field optical microscopy using a single step direct current electrochemical etch. Smooth gold tips with a radius of curvature approximately 40 nm and with an aspect ratio suitable for shear force measurement have been produced in a few minutes. A detailed analysis of the etching process has enabled production of reproducible high quality tips. Near field images of single quantum dots using tips etched with this technique are shown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lior
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eligal
authors.forename: Ferhat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Culfaz
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: McCaughan
authors.forename: Nicholas I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Cade
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richards