Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) and its Application in Mineralogy

Gutmannsbauer W, Huser T, Lacoste T, Heinzelmann H, Güntherodt HJ. Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) and its Application in Mineralogy. SCHWEIZERISCHE MINERALOGISCHE UND PETROGRAPHISCHE MITTEILUNGEN. 1995;75(2):259-264.Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) is a member of the family of scanning probe microscopes. It combines the high three dimensional resolution of a scanning force microscope with the contrast mechanisms of an optical microscope. An optical resolution beyond the diffraction limit can be achieved. We show the first application of this technique in the field of mineralogy, and we point out its future potential