A horizontal-type scanning near-field optical microscope with torsional mode operation toward high-resolution and non-destructive imaging of soft materials
Journal
Review of Scientific Instruments
Journal Volume
91
Journal Issue
7
Date Issued
2020
Author(s)
Abstract
We design and build a horizontal-type aperture based scanning near-field optical microscope (a-SNOM) with superior mechanical stability toward high-resolution and non-destructive topographic and optical imaging. We adopt the torsional mode in AFM (atomic force microscopy) operation to achieve a better force sensitivity and a higher topographic resolution when using pyramidal a-SNOM tips. The performance and stability of the AFM are evaluated through single-walled carbon nanotube and poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) nanowire samples. An optical resolution of 93 nm is deduced from the a-SNOM imaging of a metallic grating. Finally, a-SNOM fluorescence imaging of soft lipid domains is successfully achieved without sample damage by our horizontal-type a-SNOM instrument with torsional mode AFM operation. ? 2020 Author(s).
Subjects
Fluorescence imaging; Mechanical stability; Microscopes; Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN); Soft materials; Design and build; Force sensitivity; High resolution; Metallic gratings; Non-destructive imaging; Optical imaging; Optical resolution; Poly-3-hexylthiophene; Atomic force microscopy
SDGs
Type
journal article