Abstract:
Probes with novel material properties and geometric confined curved tip shapes have been developed as part of cantilevered probes for scanning apertureless near-field microscopy. They produce enhanced resolution for various modalities of combined operation with optical phenomena both linear phenomena such as Raman spectroscopy, absorption, fluorescence etc and non-linear microscopies. This novel probe operates as a sensitive AFM probe with combined capabilities for enhancement of the various modalities noted above. The probes are configured to be optimized for their combined optical properties and their material properties to permit both enhanced fields and quantum state formation with the close approach of the tip to the sample. The local enhancement increases the lateral (X, Y) and axial (Z) resolution of these optical processes without the need for an apertured probe for near-field-field effects thus providing apertureless near-field optical imaging of various modalities.
Abstract translation:具有新颖材料特性和几何限制弯曲尖端形状的探针已经被开发作为用于扫描无孔近场显微镜的悬臂式探针的一部分。 它们针对各种线性现象(如拉曼光谱,吸收,荧光等)和非线性显微镜光学现象的各种组合操作模式产生增强的分辨率。 这种新型探针作为敏感的AFM探针运行,具有综合的能力,可用于增强上述各种模态。 探针被配置为针对它们的组合光学性质和它们的材料特性进行优化,从而允许增强场和量子态形成,其中尖端靠近样品。 局部增强增加了这些光学过程的横向(X,Y)和轴向(Z)分辨率,而不需要用于近场场效应的有孔探针,从而提供各种形式的无光圈近场光学成像。 p >
Abstract:
A near- field optic (6) has a high refractive index waveguide (22) with a planar far field facet (14, 32) more than half of a wavelength across for coupling propagating light and a near field facet with the near field zone (28) of the waveguide supporting only the fundamental optical mode in each polarization. A tapered waveguide section (8) extends from the near field facet to transform the fundamental optical mode. A cantilever (24) supports the tapered waveguide section.
Abstract:
Dispositif de caractérisation de surfaces caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend : -un capillaire (C 1 ) dit d'imagerie pour guider un rayonnement électromagnétique proche ou moyen infrarouge, visible, ultraviolet ou X depuis ou vers une surface (SE) à caractériser, ledit capillaire ayant une extrémité dite avant (EA C1 ), orientée vers ladite surface et présentant une ouverture de diamètre micrométrique ou sub-micrométrique; et -un oscillateur micromécanique (DP) pour induire un mouvement oscillatoire dudit capillaire par rapport à ladite surface. Utilisation d'un tel dispositif pour acquérir simultanément une information topographique et une information spectroscopique résolue spatialement sur une surface à caractériser.
Abstract:
Silicon nanowires grown by e.g. the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism with gold as the catalyst show gold caps atop -20 nm - 500 nm in diameter with an almost ideal half- spherical shape. These gold caps are extremely well suited to exploit the tip- or surface enhanced Raman effects. Attaching a nanowire with gold cap to an AFM-tip the signal enhancement by the gold nanoparticle can be used to spatially resolve a Raman-signal. Using an ensemble of nanowires as a SERS- template, that grow self- organized, bottom-up on a silicon substrate, highly sensitive signal enhanced Raman spectroscopy is feasible of all materials that show a characteristic Raman signature. A combination of a nanowire-based TERS-Probe and a nanowire-based SERS-substrate promises optimized signal enhancement so that the detection of even single molecules (e.g. of explosives, poisonous gases,...) or single bacteria, DNA strands, and other soft matter is in reach. Potential applications of this novel nanowire based technical SERS- and/or TERS solution are widespread and lie in the fields of bio-medical and life-sciences as well as security and in the field of solid state research e.g. in silicon technology where the detection of materials composition, doping, orientation and lattice strain can be probed by Raman spectroscopy, now using TERS with the spatial resolution of the nanowire based AFM-tip.
Abstract:
Nanowires that may be utilized in microscopy, for example atomic force microscopy (AFM), as part of an AFM probe, as well as for other uses, are disclosed. The nanowires may be formed from a Group III nitride such as an epitaxial layer that may be or include gallium nitride, indium nitride, aluminum nitride, and an alloy of these materials. During use of the AFM probe to measure a topography of a test sample surface, the nanowire can activated and caused to lase and emit a light, thereby illuminating the surface with the light. In an implementation, the light can be collected by the AFM probe itself, for example through an optical fiber to which the nanowire is attached.
Abstract:
Sonde pour microscopie à force atomique comprenant une pointe pour microscopie à force atomique (PT1) orientée dans une direction dite longitudinale (y) et faisant saillie d'un bord (B) d'un substrat (S1) dans ladite direction longitudinale, caractérisée en ce que ladite pointe est agencée à une extrémité d'une navette (PJ1) fixée audit substrat au moins par l'intermédiaire d'une première (ET) et d'une deuxième (R, RA) structure, dites de support, au moins ladite première structure de support étant une structure flexible, s'étendant dans une direction dite transversale (x), perpendiculaire à la dite direction longitudinale et ancrée au substrat par au moins une liaison mécanique dans ladite direction transversale, lesdites structures de support étant adaptées pour permettre à la navette de se déplacer dans la direction longitudinale. Microscope à force atomique comprenant au moins une telle sonde.
Abstract:
A method of imaging a sample via scanning resonator microscopy is provided comprising positioning a whispering gallery mode (WGM) optical resonator at a first location over the surface of the sample, the WGM optical resonator characterized by at least one resonance frequency, wherein the WGM optical resonator is mounted to the free end of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever such that the WGM optical resonator moves with the AFM cantilever, and wherein the AFM cantilever is operably coupled to an AFM system configured to provide a topographical image of the sample; evanescently coupling excitation light into the WGM optical resonator; detecting light derived from the excitation light to monitor for a shift in the at least one resonance frequency induced by the surface of the sample; and repeating steps (a)-(c) at least at a second location over the surface of the sample.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for operating an apertureless microscope for observing one or more features to a molecular sensitivity on objects are described. More particularly, the method includes moving a tip of a probe coupled to a cantilever in a vicinity of a feature of a sample, which emits one or more photons at a detected rate relative to a background rate of the sample based upon the presence of the tip of the probe in the vicinity of the feature. The method modifies the detected rate of the feature of the sample, whereupon the modifying of the detected rate causes the feature of the sample to enhance relative to background rate of the feature.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for operating an apertureless microscope for observing one or more features to a molecular sensitivity on objects are described. More particularly, the method includes moving a tip of a probe coupled to a cantilever in a vicinity of a feature of a sample, which emits one or more photons at a detected rate relative to a background rate of the sample based upon the presence of the tip of the probe in the vicinity of the feature. The method modifies the detected rate of the feature of the sample, whereupon the modifying of the detected rate causes the feature of the sample to enhance relative to background rate of the feature.
Abstract:
There may be provided an evaluation system that may include spatial sensors that include atomic force microscopes (AFMs) and a solid immersion lens. The AFMs are arranged to generate spatial relationship information that is indicative of a spatial relationship between the solid immersion lens and a substrate. The controller is arranged to receive the spatial relationship information and to send correction signals to the at least one location correction element for introducing a desired spatial relationship between the solid immersion lens and the substrate.