A broad-spectrum, high spatial and time resolution contact-field optical microscope
comprises a fiber optical taper, a vacuum chamber, a photocathode, a magnetic lens
photoelectron image enlarger, a micro-channel plate image intensifier, a phosphor
screen and a CCD. Sample is placed directly in contact with a smaller sampling
face of the optical taper. Light which is emitted, reflected or transmitted by
the sample is launched into each of the fiber core ends on the sampling face and
conveyed by the optical fibers to a larger imaging face of the optical taper, thereby
presenting an enlarged image at the imaging face. The image is converted into a
photoelectron image by photocathode which is deposited on the surface of the imaging
face. The photoelectron image is further enlarged by magnetic lenses and intensified
by micro-channel plate. The enlarged and enhanced electron image is displayed on
phosphor screen and coupled through faceplate to CCD.