near-field optics

Near-field optics is a technique that allows us to see tiny details beyond the limits of traditional microscopes by using very close proximity between a tiny probe and the object. When the probe is near the surface, it interacts with electromagnetic fields at a scale smaller than the wavelength of light, revealing features that would normally be impossible to see due to diffraction. This method enables high-resolution imaging and analysis of nanoscale structures, useful in fields like nanotechnology and materials science. Essentially, near-field optics exploits the close distance between the tool and sample to bypass conventional optical limitations.