Intrinsic features of the optical near field open a new frontier in optical science and technology by finally overcoming the diffraction limit to reach nanometr

Near-field optics, dealing with the interaction between optical field and matter in the nanometric region, has become an interdisciplinary field spaning physics

Making a clear distinction is made between nano- and micro-mechanical testing for physical reasons, this monograph describes the basics and applications of the

Ohstu and Kobayashi crafted Optical Near Fields on the basis of their hypothesis that the full potential for utilizing optical near fields can be realized only

"This groundbreaking book focuses on near-field microscopy which has opened up optical processes at the nanoscale for direct inspection. Further, it explores th