Near Field Microscopy and Spectroscopy of Photonic Nanostructures

This program involved research on the utilization of near field optical microscopic and spectroscopic techniques to investigate spatial configurations on a nanometer scale of both integrated photonic structures and semiconductor nanostructures. We have made significant accomplishments in our research effort involving use of these near field techniques to investigate several important areas including photonic bandgap structures or photonic crystals, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers VCSELs, and optical waveguides including multiple interference structures. Near field microscopic and spectroscopic measurements performed on these structures provides more understanding of their behavior than can be ascertained in other ways such understanding is expected to point toward improved device structures.