Metal oxide based SPM tips prepared by sol-gel method

Up to date SNOM tips have. been prepared from SiO2 based materials using etching or locally melt fibre's stretching for tip sharpening [1,2] Usage of other metal oxides has been restricted because of the lack Of methods for obtaining the tips with suitable geometrical configuration. In our previous work we have proposed the technique for preparing transparent and electroconductive SnO2 fibres and tips by sol-gel method [3]. In the present investigation we have demonstrated that the sol-gel method provides the wide range of metal oxides to obtain SPM fibre tips. The new method of preparation enables to study tips based on oxide or oxide mixtures to create sensors with new properties for different applications. We propose some methods for preparing suitable precursors for spinning of pure and mixed TiO2, SnO2, SiO2 fibres. In those new methods the sharpening of tips is achieved in fibre drawing procedure. That is carried out at room temperature in humid atmosphere and then fibres are baked at 300-700degreesC for crystallisation of the material