True Collection - Imaging the near-field in high resolution - Ideal for Photonics and Plasmonics
In this mode light is collected in the near-vicinity of the surface through a small aperture of the probe apex. This module can be added-on in a simple manner to many configurations without the need for an optical microscope.
Evanescnent fileds, dark plasmons, nano-antennas, quantom wells and other near-field charactaristics which can-not be detected in the far-field can be seen with the NSOM Collection mode.
The special designed scanners can have the probe scan the surface while the exciting source is stationary and localized on the same structure of the surface. Propagation of the near-field can be imaged in correlation to the nano structures. AFM and NSOM images are simultaneity acquired with the same probe to obtain fully correlated topographic and NSOM data without any need to change the probe.
With our Multi-Probe solution, one probe can act as a pump and one as a sensor.
Key Features
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Independence between the illumination source and the near-field probe in apertured NSOM
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Optically friendly cantilevered probes with exposed tips allow for easy viewing and placement of the tip
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Multiprobe NSOM for near-field excitation and collection
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Ability to scan the NSOM probe in apertured NSOM
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3D NSOM mapping of nano-lenses
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Tuning fork feedback allows for no optical AFM feedback and no optical interference with the measurement.
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Topographic and near-field optical data are acquired simultaneously by scanning with Nanonics cantilevered NSOM probe.
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Rapid position of probe on the sample with nano-meter accuracy.
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Probe scanning allowing NSOM mapping of the SPP independent to the illumination and without moving the sample.
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Free optical access of the NSOM head from both the top and the bottom.
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Allowing for direct illumination of the sample from below and easy visualization of the tip and sample from above.
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Over 15 years of experience in the NSOM field.
Exemplary Paper
Controlled Steering of Cherenkov Surface Plasmon Wakes with a one-dimensional Metamaterial
Genevet* P, Wintz* D, Ambrosio* A, She A, Blanchard R, Capasso F. Controlled steering of Cherenkov surface plasmon wakes with a one-dimensional metamaterial. Nature Nanotechnology [Internet]. 2015.
When a charged particle travels faster than the phase speed of light in a medium, a photonic shock wave called Cherenkov radiation is emitted. This electromagnetic shock wave is emitted as a cone in the three spatial dimensions. In this paper it was shown that a two dimensional analogue of Cherenkov radiation can be created to control and steer plasmons in one-dimensional metamaterials.
The experimental analysis of the SPPs wake propagation was performed with a Nanonics Multiprobe MV4000 near-field optical microscope in collection mode (with the NSOM probe collecting the light into a detector).
The obtained results are very important toward an understanding of the SPPs wakes propagation. The ability to control and manipulate the SPPs propagation direction opens new horizons in development of novel plasmonic devices such as plasmonic phase modulators, plasmonic couplers, plasmonic holograms and beam-steering devices.
For a more in depth write up of this article click here.
About the Authors
Prof. Federico Capasso is a world pioneering scientist in Harvard. His research is the quantum design and study of new artificial materials and nanostructures with man-made electronic and optical properties. He has published many important and high impact articles.