Del Mar Photonics - NSOM applications
Near field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) imaging method can be used to measure spatial resolved photoluminescence (PL) and to compare modeled prediction of optical field intensity distributions with accurate measurements. The NSOM tip can be used to detect light generated by quantum dots in the photonic crystal in collection mode, or to excite single quantum dot (SQD) locally in the illumination mode. The combination of an ultrafast laser system with a NSOM is more informative than conventional micro-PL since the NSOM can obtain near-field information with as high resolution as 100nm or less while micro-PL has only micrometer resolution and generates only quasi-far field information (Figure 8). The combination of spatial and temporal resolution provides us with information of SQD emission process such as field distribution of mode, modal volume, emission lifetime and coupling efficiency of emission to the mode. The NSOM tip is scanned as collection mode on the surface of cavity pumped by an ultrafast pump laser. On the other hand, the ultrafast laser can pump SQD on center of cavity through NSOM tip as illumination mode and objective lens picks up far field pattern as well. This combination with NSOM is used to confirm modified radiation resulting from resonant modes within the nanocavity. (pdf)
Femtosecond ready NSOM-AFM-STM (Request
a quote)
Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM) is a versatile tool for nano-characterization
and nanomanufacturing.
Conventional microscopes have fundamentally limited resolution due to
diffraction, but there is no such restriction for near-field interactions, that
is why near-field microscopy is becoming one of the most important techniques
for nano-science.
Possible applications of this tool are characterization
of photonic nanodevices, bio photonics (investigation of cells, viruses, DNA
molecules), nano-chemistry (chemical reactions control), nanoscale
photolithography (processing of photosensitive polymers).
NSOM delivered femto-second pulses can be used for nanometer-scale surface
topology modification. Temporal resolution provided by femtosecond laser opens
wide range of new possibilities such as: transport dynamics studies of
nanostructured materials, pump-probe experiments, ultra fast coherent and Raman
spectroscopy. Spatial optical resolution of the tool is better than 100 nm and
temporal resolution in the pulse operation mode is better than 100 fs. Tunable
CW operation for spectral measurements is also available, wavelength range in
this case is 710-950 nm.
Advanced Nearfield Scanning Optical Microscopy/Atomic Force Microscopy/Scanning
Probe Microscopy systems (NSOM-AFM-SPM) are used for numerous applications in
materials research, including semiconductors, data storage, electronic
materials, solar cells, polymers, catalysts, life sciences and nano-sciences.
NSOM-AFM-SPM is a well-established method for ultra-high nano-scale spatial
resolution surface imaging and the characterization of surfaces and interfaces
down to atomic dimensions.
Fluorescence image of 100 nm - diameter TransFluoSpheres,
|
Near-field optical image of 250 nm - diameter gold beads, deposited onto
a glass slide. |
AFM (topography) image of DNA (<3 nm thickness), |
Near-field optical image of 100 nm - diameter polystyrene beads, |
 Standard 100kHz fiber probe and fiber micro objective for the reflection mode operation. |
 32 kHz custom nanofiber probe
|
NSOM Applications
Photonic Crystal Nanocavities for Efficient Light Confinement and Emission
pdf
Photonics Interconnects
Femtosecond lasers recommended for use with NSOM
Ti:Sapphire lasers
Trestles femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser
Trestles Finesse femtosecond
Ti:Sapphire laser with integrated DPSS pump laser
Teahupoo Rider femtosecond amplified
Ti:Sapphire laser
Cr:Forsterite lasers
Mavericks femtosecond
Cr:Forsterite laser
Er-based lasers
Tamarack femtosecond fiber laser (Er-doped
fiber)
Buccaneer femtosecond OA fiber laser (Er-doped
fiber) and SHG
Cannon Ultra-broadband light source
Yb-based lasers
Tourmaline femtosecond Yt-doped fiber laser
Tourmaline Yb-SS400 Ytterbium-doped Femtosecond Solid-State Laser
Tourmaline Yb-ULRepRate-07 Yb-based high-energy fiber laser system kit
Cr:ZnSe lasers
Chata femtosecond Cr:ZnSe laser (2.5 micron) coming soon
SPIE Photonics West 2009 product announcement
Conventional microscopes have fundamentally limited resolution due to
diffraction, but there is no such restriction for near-field interactions, that
is why near-field microscopy is becoming important nano-science technique.
Possible applications of this tool are characterization of photonic nanodevices,
bio photonics (investigation of cells, viruses, DNA molecules), nano-chemistry
(chemical reactions control), nanoscale photolithography (processing of
photosensitive polymers). NSOM delivered femto-second pulses can be used for
nanometer-scale surface topology modification. Temporal resolution provided by
femtosecond laser opens wide range of new possibilities such as: transport
dynamics studies of nanostructured materials, pump-probe experiments, ultra fast
coherent and Raman spectroscopy. Spatial optical resolution is better than 100
nm and temporal resolution in the pulse operation mode is better than 100 fs.
Tunable CW operation for spectral measurements is also available.