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.
Recommended reading:
Science 13 January 2006:
Vol. 311. no. 5758, pp. 189 - 193
DOI: 10.1126/science.1114849
Plasmonics: Merging Photonics and Electronics at Nanoscale Dimensions
Ekmel Ozbay*
Electronic circuits provide us with the ability to control the transport and
storage of electrons. However, the performance of electronic circuits is now
becoming rather limited when digital information needs to be sent from one point
to another. Photonics offers an effective solution to this problem by
implementing optical communication systems based on optical fibers and photonic
circuits. Unfortunately, the micrometer-scale bulky components of photonics have
limited the integration of these components into electronic chips, which are now
measured in nanometers. Surface plasmon–based circuits, which merge electronics
and photonics at the nanoscale, may offer a solution to this size-compatibility
problem. Here we review the current status and future prospects of plasmonics in
various applications including plasmonic chips, light generation, and
nanolithography.
Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, Bilkent, Ankara 06800
Turkey.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ozbay@bilkent.edu.tr