Nonlocal effects on the resonant dielectric surface observed by near-field optical probing in mid-infrared range

Abstract

The local electromagnetic field distribution over the dielectric (SiC) surface illuminated by mid-IR light of frequency close to the lattice resonance was directly mapped with an apertureless scattering near-field optical microscope. Half of the sample surface was covered with a metal layer, in which some small $(0.2-10 \mu m)$ holes were formed. It was found, that due to the eliminating of collective surface polarization effects, the amplitude of the electromagnetic field becomes several times higher over such holes than over infinitely open surface of the same dielectric.