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Abstract

A method for making flexible transducers for use with photon tunneling microscopes includes the steps of providing an optically smooth substrate made of a rigid material such as float glass or polished silicon. The surface of the substrate is covered with a transparent, curable material approximately ten micrometers or more in thickness. The material, which is preferably a collodion solution in amyl acetate or a UV curable polymer, is peeled from the substrate after solidifying to provide it with sufficient flexibility to conform to the macrotopography of a sample surface without conforming to its microtopography and stiffness to provide a substantially flat surface over an area of the planar front surface of the hemispherical objective lens corresponding to the field of view of the microscope.

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First Claim