Electromagnetic interactions of metallic objects in nanometer proximity

Abstract

The chemical and proximity dependence of electromagnetic interactions of various metallic bodies at nanometer separations is probed through photon emission from a scanning tunneling microscope. The role of local dielectric properties is determined and the strength of the electromagnetic coupling in the cavity between tip and sample is investigated. The experimental results compare well with model calulations and show the relative role of the dielectric functions of both electrodes as well as the influence of proximity. © 1993 The American Physical Society.