Method and Apparatus for Guiding Optical Energy

1 . An optical apparatus for guiding optical energy, the optical apparatus comprising:

a dielectric fiber;

a plurality of metallic wires embedded within the dielectric fiber, wherein the metallic wires are organized in a converging manner to guide optical waves; and

at least one layer of metal covering an outer surface of the dielectric fiber.

2 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic wires comprise at least one of gold, silver, copper, aluminum or gallium.

3 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic wires are solid wires.

4 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic wires are hollow.

5 . The optical apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the hollow metallic wires have walls at least about 30 nm thick.

6 . The optical apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the hollow metallic wires have walls about 30 to 60 nm thick.

7 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic wires have a substantially constant cross-section.

8 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic wires are tapered.

9 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric fiber is tapered.

10 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric fiber comprises at least one of silica glass, chalcogenide glass, or air.

11 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric fiber comprises a low-loss dielectric having a positive dielectric permittivity.

12 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a waveguide at one or more ends of the dielectric fiber.

13 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic wires are configured to guide optical waves below a light diffraction limit.

14 . The optical apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of metal comprises at least one of gold, silver, copper, aluminum, or tungsten.

15 . An optical apparatus for guiding optical energy, the optical apparatus comprising:

a plurality of metallic wires configured in a converging manner to guide optical waves;

a dielectric surrounding each of the plurality of wires; and

at least one layer of metal surrounding the dielectric and the plurality of wires.

16 . The optical apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the dielectric comprises at least one of silica glass, chalcogenide glass, or air.

17 . The optical apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the dielectric comprises a low-loss dielectric having a positive dielectric permittivity.

18 . A demagnification method, comprising:

placing an object near a base of an optical apparatus, wherein the optical apparatus includes:

a dielectric fiber having a base and a tip;

a plurality of metallic wires embedded within the dielectric fiber, wherein the metallic wires are organized in a converging manner to guide optical waves from the base to the tip; and

at least one layer of metal covering an outer surface of the dielectric fiber;

illuminating the object with a radiation source to allow waves to propagate along the dielectric fiber in a direction of convergence to form a demagnified image.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the object is demagnified by a factor equal to a ratio between lateral dimensions of the base and the tip.

20 . A magnification method, comprising:

placing an object near a tip of an optical apparatus, wherein the optical apparatus includes:

a dielectric fiber having a base and a tip;

a plurality of metallic wires embedded within the dielectric fiber, wherein the metallic wires are organized in a diverging manner to guide optical waves from the tip to the base; and

at least one layer of metal covering an outer surface of the dielectric fiber;

illuminating the object with a radiation source to allow waves to propagate along the dielectric fiber in a direction of divergence to form a magnified image.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the object is magnified by a factor equal to a ratio between lateral dimensions of the base and the tip.