  We measured images and Fourier images of fluorescence for 0.11- and
0.22-$\mu$m-diameter dye-doped polystyrene micro-sphere beads on a solid
immersion lens, and experimentally verified strongly-angle-dependent
fluorescence intensities due to efficient near-field optical coupling in solid
immersion fluorescence microscopy. The results are interpreted in comparison
with calculated emission patterns of an emission dipole placed near a solid
surface, which establish a basic model for high-collection efficiency in
solid-immersion fluorescence microscopy.
