Influence of the probe-sample interaction on scanning near-field optical microscopic images in the far field

We have studied the influence of probe-sample interaction in a scanning near-field optical microscopy （SNOM） in the far field by using samples with a step structure. For a sample with a step height of - λ/4, the SNOM image contrast between the two sides of the step changes periodically at different scan heights. For a step height of-λ/2, the image contrast remains approximately the same. The probe-sample interaction determines the SNOM image contrast here. The influence of different refractive indices of the sample has been also analysed by using a simple theoretical model.

Optical polarization response at gold nanosheet edges probed by scanning near-field optical microscopy

Optical properties of metallic edge-like structures known as knife-edges are a topic of interest and possess potential applications in enhanced Raman scattering, optical trapping, etc. In this work, we investigate the near-field optical polar- ization response at the edge of a triangular gold nanosheet, which is synthesized by a wet chemical method. A homemade scanning near-field optical microscope （SNOM） in collection mode is adopted, which is able to accurately locate its probe at the edge during experiments. An uncoated straight fiber probe is used in the SNOM, because it s611 preserves the prop- erty of light polarization though it has the depolarization to some extent. By comparing near-field intensities at the edge and glass substrate, detected in different polarization directions of incident light, the edge-induced depolarization is found, which is supported by the finite differential time domain （FDTD） simulated results. The depolarized phenomenon in the near-field is similar to that in the far-field.

A novel phase-sensitive scanning near-field optical microscope

Phase is one of the most important parameters of electromagnetic waves. It is the phase distribution that determines the propagation, reflection, refraction, focusing, divergence, and coupling features of light, and further affects the intensity distribution. In recent years, the designs of surface plasmon polariton （SPP） devices have mostly been based on the phase modulation and manipulation. Here we demonstrate a phase sensitive multi-parameter heterodyne scanning near-field opti- cal microscope （SNOM） with an aperture probe in the visible range, with which the near field optical phase and amplitude distributions can be simultaneously obtained. A novel architecture combining a spatial optical path and a fiber optical path is employed for stability and flexibility. Two kinds of typical nano-photonic devices are tested with the system. With the phase-sensitive SNOM, the phase and amplitude distributions of any nano-optical field and localized field generated with any SPP nano-structures and irregular phase modulation surfaces can be investigated. The phase distribution and the interference pattern will help us to gain a better understanding of how light interacts with SPP structures and how SPP waves generate, localize, convert, and propagate on an SPP surface. This will be a significant guidance on SPP nano-structure design and optimization.

Scanning Head for the Apertureless near Field Optical Microscope

The design and characterization of a tip control unit for an apertureless scanning near field optical microscope (ASNOM) is reported. To make the instrument operation easier, the cantilever control parts (piezo excitation of the cantilever vibration for the dynamic mode feedback and the parts necessary for the optical lever scheme of the vibration control) were placed in a separate detachable assembly. To suppress the influence of vibrations of the setup, the assembly was made lightweight. Good optical access to the ASNOM tip from various directions is provided in the system. High long-term mechanical stability of the system (~50 nm lateral drift in 18 hours) as well as low sensitivity to seismic vibrations (~400 pm RMS) is demonstrated. It is shown that external sound is not a main source of noise in the topography image (~200 pm RMS). The light field distribution (with its amplitude and phase) around the ASNOM tip was acquired by scanning the focal spot around the tip, and a high optical quality of the system is demonstrated.

利用AFM和SNOM对淋巴细胞膜表面超微结构及其光学性质的初步研究

利用原子力显微镜(AtomicForceMicroscopy,AFM)对淋巴细胞表面形貌进行了形态学的初步研究,观察到了其膜表面其他显微技术所不能发现的超微结构.同时也运用扫描近场光学显微镜(ScanningNearfieldOpticalMi croscopy,SNOM)对淋巴细胞进行成像,观察了其对光的透射、吸收等光学性质,并对两种成像方法进行了比较.研究发现:淋巴细胞膜表面凹凸不平,分布着大量直径几十到几百纳米不等的小颗粒;淋巴细胞中央部位有自发荧光现象.结果表明,AFM和SNOM可作为进一步探讨淋巴细胞的结构与功能关系的有力工具.

SFM/SNOM结合的扫描探测显微镜

采用光纤探针的扫描近场光学显微镜 (SNOM)存在某些弱点 ,如探针特别脆 ,不易贴近样品表面扫描 ,探针的转输效率低等。近年来发展了将SFM /SNOM结合起来的扫描探测显微镜。利用微加工工艺技术 ,将小孔集成在悬臂探针中 ,使探针既能批量制备 ,又具有很好的重复性。探针悬臂在垂直于样品表面方向上的弹性常数较小 ,针尖不易损坏。在接触模式中利用这种SFM /SNOM组合探针可将样品的形貌像、摩擦力和光学透射像等信息同时记录下来。对于综合研究样品表面的介观性质十分有利。

SNOM/SFM结合的近场光学探针

介绍了近年来近场光学探针技术的进展,特别是可与扫描力显微镜结合的探针制备技术。

Development and prospect of near-field optical measurements and characterizations

Scanning near-field optical microscopy （SNOM） is an ideal experimental measuring system in nano-optical measurements and characterizations. Besides microscopy with resolution beyond the diffraction limit, spectroscope with nanometer resolution and other instruments with novel performances have been indispensable for researches in nano-optics and nanophotonics. This paper reviews the developing history of near-field optical （NFO） measuring method and foresees its prospects in future. The development of NFO measurements has gone through four stages, including optical imaging with super resolution, near-field spectroscopy, measurements ofnanooptical parameters, and detections of near-field interac- tions. For every stage, research objectives, technological properties and application fields are discussed.

Polarization-insensitive plasmon nanofocusing with broadband interference modulation for optical nanoimaging

Delivering light to the nanoscale using a flexible and easily integrated fiber platform holds potential in various fields of quantum science and bioscience.However,rigorous optical alignment,sophisticated fabrication process,and low spatial resolution of the fiber-based nanoconcentrators limit the practical applications.Here,a broadband azimuthal plasmon interference nanofocusing technique on a fiber-coupled spiral tip is demonstrated for fiber-based near-field optical nanoimaging.The spiral plasmonic fiber tip fabricated through a robust and reproducible process can reverse the polarization and modulate the mode field of the surface plasmon polaritons in three-dimensionally azimuthal direction,resulting in polarization-insensitive,broad-bandwidth,and azimuthal interference nanofocusing.By integrating this with a basic scanning near-field optical microscopy,a high optical resolution of 31 nm and beyond is realized.The high performance and the easy incorporation with various existing measurement platforms offered by this fiber-based nanofocusing technique have great potential in near-field optics,tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy,nonlinear spectroscopy,and quantum sensing.

Spatial and spectral mode mapping of a dielectric nanodot by broadband interferometric homodyne scanning near-field spectroscopy

We investigate the optical properties of nanostructures of antimony sulfide(Sb2S3),a direct-bandgap semiconductor material that has recently sparked considerable interest as a thin film solar cell absorber.Fabrication from a nanoparticle ink solution and two-and three-dimensional nanostructuring with pattern sizes down to 50 nm have recently been demonstrated.Insight into the yet unknown nanoscopic optical properties of these nanostructures is highly desired for their future applications in nanophotonics.We implement a spectrally broadband scattering-type near-field optical spectroscopy technique to study individual Sb2S3 nanodots with a 20-nm spatial resolution,covering the range from 700 to 900 nm.We show that in this below-bandgap range,the Sb2S3 nanostructures act as high-refractive-index,low-loss waveguides with mode profiles close to those of idealized cylindrical waveguides,despite a considerable structural disorder.In combination with their high above-bandgap absorption,this makes them promising candidates for applications as dielectric metamaterials,specifically for ultrafast photoswitching.

“禁戒光”近场光学显微镜原理与系统

扫描近场光学显微术是８０年代后期发展起来的一种分辨率超过衍射极限的新型光学显微镜技术。本文介绍了国外最近出现的“禁戒光”近场光学显微镜系统的工作原理及结构。透射式ＳＮＯＭ中部分光沿着光轴向前传播；部分光沿着大于全内反射临界角的方向传播。前者称为允许光；后者称为禁戒光。应用“禁戒光”近场光学显微镜可同时获得三幅图像，即允许光像、禁戒光像和反映样品表面形貌的剪切力图像。禁戒光图像能够提供很好的对比度和分辨率。

近场光学显微镜结合量子点标记人胃腺癌SGC-7901细胞靶点的观察

扫描近场光学显微镜突破衍射极限,具有纳米量级的空间分辨率,量子点(QD s)标记有荧光强度高且抗光漂白能力强等优点。结合上述两种技术,对人胃腺癌SGC-7901细胞膜表面特异性结合的叶酸受体(FR)进行成像探测,获得了叶酸受体在SGC-7901细胞膜表面上的分布,以及细胞内化外源性叶酸过程中叶酸受体在细胞膜表面的分布变化,成像的光学分辨率达到120 nm。实验结果表明:特异性结合的叶酸受体在SGC-7901细胞膜表面的分布,绝大部分是以聚集体的形式存在。随着SGC-7901细胞内化叶酸量的增加,叶酸受体在细胞膜表面的分布密度逐渐降低,并在经过120 m in左右趋于稳定。上述方法和手段为实现单细胞水平上靶点分布和变化的长期监测,肿瘤细胞内化受体的机制研究提供了新的技术途径。

量子点的近场激发荧光特性研究

近场光学显微镜具有nm量级的空间分辨率,量子点(quantum dots,QDs)荧光探针具有激发谱宽、发射谱线窄、荧光强度高、抗光漂白和稳定性高等优点,两者结合用于生物大分子的成像探测和识别具有广泛的应用前景。用近场光学显微镜对链霉亲和素偶联的QDs进行近场荧光激发,并对其荧光发射特性和光稳定性进行研究,结果表明:近场光学显微镜nm量级的空间分辨率,可以同时观察到了QDs的单体、二聚体和三聚体;QDs的荧光发射强度高,近场荧光像对比度好,单量子点的荧光半高宽达到25nm;对一定入射波长的单色激发光,QDs的近场荧光强度随着激发功率密度的增加线性增加,并很快趋于稳定。与传统的荧光染料如异硫氰酸荧光素相比,QDs的稳定性非常好,在激发功率密度为300W/cm2的近场辐射下,量子点的荧光强度超过6h基本保持不变,其抗光漂白能力远远高于普通荧光染料。

纳米材料的几种扫描探针显微表征方法

扫描探针显微镜(SPM)作为一种广泛应用的表面表征工具,不仅可以表征三维形貌,还能定量地研究表面的粗糙度、孔径大小和分布及颗粒尺寸,在许多学科均可发挥作用.以纳米材料为主要研究对象,综述了国外最新的几种扫描探针显微表征技术,包括扫描隧道显微镜(STM)、原子力显微镜(AFM)和近场扫描光学显微镜(SNOM)等方法,展示了这几种技术在纳米材料的结构和性能方面的应用.

利用近场光谱研究GaN蓝光二极管的杂质发光

运用近场光谱方法研究了在蓝宝石衬底上用低压ＭＯＣＶＤ方法外延生长的ＧａＮ蓝光二极管的杂质发光光谱。研究结果表明近场光谱为研究样品表面微观发光机理中提供了一个有力的手段，它能够给出样品表面微区空间分辨的局域光谱信息。本文给出了研究中所观察到的一些实验现象。

Electronic properties of wurtzite GaAs： A correlated structural, optical, and theoretical analysis of the same polytypic GaAs nanowire

III-V compound semiconductor nanowires are generally characterized by the coexistence of zincblende and wurtzite structures. So far, this polytypism has impeded the determination of the electronic properties of the metastable wurtzite phase of GaAs, which thus remain highly controversial. In an effort to obtain new insights into this topic, we cross-correlate nanoscale spectral imaging by near-field scanning optical microscopy with a transmission electron microscopy analysis of the very same polytypic GaAs nanowire dispersed onto a Si wafer. Thus, spatially resolved photoluminescence spectra could be unambiguously assigned to nanowire segments whose structure is known with lattice-resolved accuracy. An emission energy of 1.528 eV was observed from extended zincblende segments, revealing that the dispersed nanowire was under uniaxial strain presumably due to interaction with its supporting substrate. These crucial information and the emission energy obtained for extended pure wurtzite segments were used to perform envelope function calculations of zincblende quantum disks in a wurtzite matrix as well as the inverse structure. In these calculations, we varied the fundamental bandgap, the electron mass, and the band offset between zincblende and wurtzite GaAs. From this multi-parameter comparison with the experimental data, we deduced that the bandgap between the F8 conduction and A valence band ranges from 1.532 to 1.539 eV in strain-free wurtzite GaAs, and estimated values of 1.507 to 1.514 eV for the F7-A bandgap.

具有高品质因数的剪切力扫描近场光学显微镜在液体中的生物成像(英文)

基于剪切力的探针-试样间距控制扫描近场光学显微镜用于生物材料在液体中的成像比在空气中难得多。液体的黏性阻尼和软的试样表面要求更高的力检测灵敏度。最近我们试验成功的压电双晶片剪切力检测器结合力反馈技术,可以大幅度提高双晶片的机械谐振品质因数,从而改善在粘滞液体中力检测灵敏度。当双晶片在它的某一本征频率下被激励,通过调节一个适当的反馈力,它的机械谐振品质因数在水中可以从40增强到103,因此成像灵敏度获得显著改善。上述力检测技术被用于一些生物试样在液体环境下的拓扑和近场光学成像。所得到的力、相位和光学图像显示了高的成像质量和分辨率。实验结果证明上述装置尤其适宜于近场光学显微镜在生物领域的应用。

Nanobridged rhombic antennas supporting both dipolar and high-order plasmonic modes with spatially superimposed hotspots in the mid-infrared

Mid-infrared antennas(MIRAs)support highly-efficient optical resonance in the infrared,enabling multiple applications,such as surface-enhanced infrared absorption(SEIRA)spectroscopy and ultrasensitive mid-infrared detection.However,most MIRAs such as dipolar-antenna structures support only narrow-band dipolar-mode resonances while high-order modes are usually too weak to be observed,severely limiting other useful applications that broadband resonances make possible.In this study,we report a multiscale nanobridged rhombic antenna(NBRA)that supports two dominant reson-ances in the MIR,including a charge-transfer plasmon(CTP)band and a bridged dipolar plasmon(BDP)band which looks like a quadruple resonance.These assignments are evidenced by scattering-type scanning near-field optical micro-scopy(s-SNOM)imaging and electromagnetic simulations.The high-order mode only occurs with nanometer-sized bridge(nanobridge)linked to the one end of the rhombic arm which mainly acts as the inductance and the resistance by the circuit analysis.Moreover,the main hotspots associated with the two resonant bands are spatially superimposed,en-abling boosting up the local field for both bands by multiscale coupling.With large field enhancements,multiband detec-tion with high sensitivity to a monolayer of molecules is achieved when using SEIRA.Our work provides a new strategy possible to activate high-order modes for designing multiband MIRAs with both nanobridges and nanogaps for such MIR applications as multiband SEIRAs,IR detectors,and beam-shaping of quantum cascade lasers in the future.

Distance dependence of atomic-resolution near-field imaging on α-Al2O3 （0001） surface with respect to surface photovoltage of silicon probe tip

Recently, we achieved atomic-resolution optical imaging with near-field scanning optical microscopy using photon-induced force detection. In this technique, the surface photovoltage of the silicon-tip apex induced by the optical near field on the surface is measured as the electrostatic force. We demonstrated atomicresolution imaging of the near field on the α-Al2O3 （0001） surface of a prism. We investigated the spatial distribution of the near field by scanning at different tip-sample distances and found that the atomic corrugation of the near-field signal was observed at greater distances than that of the atomic force microscopy signal. As the tip-sample distance increased, the normalized signal-to-noise ratio of the near field is in a gradual decline almost twice that of the frequency shift （Δf）.

原子力与光子扫描隧道组合显微镜

介绍了超高分辨光子扫描隧道显微镜(PSTM)的研究历程,为解决第一代(单光束照明)光子扫描隧道显微镜中存在人为假象和样品光学图像与形貌图像难于分离两个难题,用π对称双光束照明方法消假象,用原子力与光子扫描隧道组合显微镜(AF/PSTM)图像分解方法分离样品光学透过率、折射率与形貌图像。研制成功新一代原子力与光子扫描隧道组合显微镜(AF/PSTM)样机。该样机在一次扫描中已获得两幅原子力显微镜图像(形貌与相位)和两幅光学图像(透过率和折射率),有效地减少了假象,分解了样品光学折射率、透过率与形貌图像。