Scanning near-field optical images of ordered polystyrene particle layers in transmission and luminescence excitation modes

Scanning near-field optical images of hexagonally close-packed layers of polystyrene spherical particles with a diameter of 1.0 mu m have been investigated. The layers were composed of particles that were doped either totally or partially with an organic fluorescent dye. Observations were made in the transmission and luminescence excitation modes with a scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM) with a spatial resolution shorter than the wavelength of light. The patterns observed in the SNOM images are significantly dependent on the microstructures of layers, that is, the layers are either single or double layered, and the particles are either totally or partially doped. These results are discussed in terms of specific modes of electromagnetic waves transmitting across and along the layers after the local excitation at the tip end of the scanning microprobe. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.