Electroless nickel plating on optical fiber probe

As a component of near-field scanning optical microscope （NSOM）, optical fiber probe is an important factor influncing the equipment resolution. Electroless nickel plating is introduced to metallize the optical fiber probe. The optical fibers are etched by 40% HF with Turner etching method. Through pretreatment, the optical fiber probe is coated with Ni-P film by electroless plating in a constant temperature water tank. Atomic absorption spectrometry （AAS）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry （EDXS） are carried out to characterize the deposition on fiber probe. We have reproducibly fabricated two kinds of fiber probes with a Ni-P film： aperture probe and apertureless probe. In addition, reductive particle transportation on the surface of fiber probe is proposed to explain the cause of these probes.     

Near-field optics and control of photonic crystals

We discuss recent progress and the exciting potential of scanning probe microscopy methods for the characterization and control of photonic crystals. We demonstrate that scanning near-field optical microscopy can be used to characterize the performance of photonic crystal device components on the sub-wavelength scale. In addition, we propose scanning probe techniques for realizing local, low-loss tuning of photonic crystal resonances, based on the frequency shifts that high-index nanoscopic probes can induce. Finally, we discuss prospects for on-demand spontaneous emission control. We demonstrate theoretically that photonic crystal membranes induce large variations in spontaneous emission rate over length scales of 50 nm that can be probed by single light sources, or nanoscopic ensembles of light sources attached to the end of a scanning probe.     

Designs of apertureless probe with nano-slits for near-field light localization and concentration

This paper presents recent studies on nano-patterned plasmonic probes that can provide highly localized and enhanced light for the near-field scanning optical microscopy. The mechanism to realize such localized light source is introduced and numerically characterized in the near field. In addition, the attainable wideband operation of the plasmonic probe through the proper design is also discussed with particular attention to developing potential applications in the near-field scanning optical microscopy.     

Structure comparison of nanotubes produced by different processes

Several methods used for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes have been developed in the last decade. The preparation techniques used, and their associated parameters, have an ultimate effect on the structure of the resulting nanotubes. Consequently, it is of great interest to compare the structure of carbon nanotubes synthesized by different techniques. We investigated a range of nanotubes of different origin by scanning probe microscopy (TM-AFM), and by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Three different types of nanotubes have been investigated: commercial SWNT and MWNT, MWNT (synthesized using a CCVD process) and its SiO₂ coated variant, and nanostructures produced using an electrochemical method. A preparative technique is described and different tube parameters are measured. The quality of coated MWNT-s is investigated and nano-structured rings are revealed in samples obtained by electrolysis of molten salts on graphite electrodes.     

Visualizing macromolecular complexes with in situ liquid scanning transmission electron microscopy

A central focus of biological research is understanding the structure/function relationship of macromolecular protein complexes. Yet conventional transmission electron microscopy techniques are limited to static observations. Here we present the first direct images of purified macromolecular protein complexes using in situ liquid scanning transmission electron microscopy. Our results establish the capability of this technique for visualizing the interface between biology and nanotechnology with high fidelity while also probing the interactions of biomolecules within solution. This method represents an important advancement towards allowing future high-resolution observations of biological processes and conformational dynamics in real-time.     

Optimisation of laser removal of biological crusts in granites

Laser cleaning of stones is a well established technique in the field of cultural heritage; however, there are few studies concerning its application to granites, though these rocks have been used from the past as structural and ornamental material in public works and buildings. In humid climates granite is almost permanently damp which causes biological colonisation and blackening of exterior surfaces. This work was focussed on the removal of biological black crust in granite by means of a Nd:YVO4 laser at the wavelength of 355 nm. Analysis of the conditions for efficient removal, and evaluation of the morphological/textural changes on the stone surface allowed us to establish safe conditions of irradiation. A number of surface analytical techniques such as optical microscopy (OM), optical profilometry, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to asses the effects of the laser treatment.     

Geometrical characterization techniques for microlens made by thermal reflow of photoresist cylinder

Microlens characterization is a prerequisite for improving fabrication process, and for satisfying the end user needs. In this paper we explore techniques to characterize geometrical properties of microlens made by thermal reflow: viz. microlens profile; radius of curvature; microlens height; contact angle and focal length. The geometrical characterization is done using techniques such as contact profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, white light confocal microscopy and fluorescence confocal microscopy. All the above techniques are studied and compared, keeping in mind the characterization requirements of polymer microlens made by thermal reflow technique.     

基于光探针技术的自聚焦透镜光斑测量方法

以扫描探针显微理论为基础,讨论了基于光学纤维探针技术的自聚焦透镜光斑测量方法,介绍了实验系统的构成和测量原理、光学探针的制作和软件控制技术,并且以日本产NSG自聚焦透镜为样品进行了光斑测量和分析.所得结果对于评价自聚焦透镜的成像性能具有重要意义.     

FABRICATION AND APPLICATION OF NEAR-FIELD OPTICAL FIBRE PROBE

In this paper, the fabrication of a large cone angle near-field optical fibre probe, using the two-step chemical etching method and bent probe, is introduced, and the controlling parameters of the coated Cr－Al film at the probe tip are presented. The scanning electron microscopy images display that the tip diameter of the uncoated large cone angle fibre probe obtained is less than 50nm, the cone angle over 90°, and the diameter of light aperture at the coated probe tip is less than 100nm. The measured results of the optical transmission efficiency for various probe tips show that the uncoated straight optical fibre probe, film-coated straight probe and film-coated bent probe are 3×10^-1, 2×10^-3, and 1×10^-4 times that of the flat fibre probe, respectively. In addition, the force images and near-field optical images of a standard sample are acquired using a large cone angle and film-coated bent probe.     

Low voltage high-resolution SEM (LVHRSEM) for biological structural and molecular analysis

High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) is being used increasingly to gain new insights into three-dimensional organization of biological structure, macromolecular complexes and interactions of cellular components as well as isolated cell organelles. Modern scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) combined with adequate sample preparation can now provide resolution comparable with that achieved using transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) down to 2-5 nm for biological material. The versatility of the instrument and new sample preparation techniques have allowed detailed analysis of chromosomes, cytoskeletal components, virus and other biological material that has not been possible with TEM. The present review addresses resolution and specific specimen preparations for HRSEM, and highlights the importance of specimen preparation and choice of methods to achieve optimal results for proteins, macromolecular complexes and subcellular structures using low voltage HRSEM (LVHRSEM).     

氧化锌纳米结构的制备及发光性质研究

采用化学气相沉积方法,在氩气和氧气混合气氛下制备了两种四角结构的纳米氧化锌。初始反应物为纯锌粉,反应过程中没有采用任何触媒。采用X射线衍射、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜、光致发光光谱研究了纳米产物的结构和光学性质。获得的纳米产物为高纯的纤锌矿结构氧化锌。两种氧化锌纳米产物具有三维立体的四角结构,分别为四角锥-片状结构和四角锥-线状结构,具有较大的长径比,呈典型的微/纳结构。通过对两种氧化锌纳米结构的紫外发射峰和可见发射带的对比研究,探讨了氧化锌纳米产物可见发射带的起源,以及影响其发光性质的主要因素。     

Study of Perylenetetracarboxylic Acid Dimethylimide Films by Cyclic Thermal Desorption and Scanning Probe Microscopy

Some results of studying the direct-current (DC) conductivity of perylenetetracarboxylic acid dimethylimide films by cyclic oxygen thermal desorption are presented. The microscopic parameters of hopping electron transport over localized impurity and intrinsic states were determined. The bandgap width and the sign of major current carriers were determined by scanning probe microscopy methods (atomic force microscopy, scanning probe spectroscopy, and photoassisted Kelvin probe force microscopy). The possibility of the application of photoassisted scanning tunneling microscopy for the nanoscale phase analysis of photoconductive films is discussed.     

Thermal melting and ablation of silicon by femtosecond laser radiation

The space-time dynamics of thermal melting, subsurface cavitation, spallative ablation, and fragmentation ablation of the silicon surface excited by single IR femtosecond laser pulses is studied by timeresolved optical reflection microscopy. This dynamics is revealed by monitoring picosecond and (sub)nanosecond oscillations of probe pulse reflection, which is modulated by picosecond acoustic reverberations in the dynamically growing surface melt subjected to ablation and having another acoustic impedance, and by optical interference between the probe pulse replicas reflected by the spalled layer surface and the layer retained on the target surface. The acoustic reverberation periods change during the growth and ablation of the surface melt film, which makes it possible to quantitatively estimate the contributions of these processes to the thermal dynamics of the material surface. The results on the thermal dynamics of laser excitation are supported by dynamic measurements of the ablation parameters using noncontact ultrasonic diagnostics, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and optical interference microscopy of the modified regions appearing on the silicon surface after ablation.     

Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of a Playing Card from the 18th Century

We present the characterization, by means of three complementary experimental techniques (optical microscopy [OM], scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy [SEM-EDX], and micro-Raman spectroscopy [µRaman]), of a card belonging to a deck of the Spanish pattern made in Perú at the time of Virreinato de Perú (18th century). The objective is to obtain detailed information on the pictorial palette used for the decoration of the cards, where two basic colors, red and green, are seen. Small samples from both colored regions were analyzed.     

Single atom doping in 2D layered MoS2 from a periodic table perspective

Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS₂) is a well-known transition metal dichalcogenide with a hexagonal structure arrangement analogous to graphene. Two dimensional (2D) MoS₂ has attracted wide attention in various applications such as energy storage, catalysis, sensing, energy conversion and optoelectronics due to its unique properties including tunable bandgap, substantial carrier mobility, outstanding mechanical strength and dangling-bond free basal surface. Moreover, MoS₂ has shown an excellent capability to be a host for foreign atoms which tune its physicochemical properties. Herein, currently known structural changes in the MoS₂ crystals introduced by various single atom dopants coming from all over the chemical table of elements are reviewed. Accompanying electrical, optical and magnetic properties of such structures are discussed in detail. Potential applications of the doped MoS₂ are introduced briefly as well. The review concentrates on the recent state-of-the-art results obtained mostly by the high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), such as high angle annular dark field (HAADF) imaging as well as scanning probe microscopy (SPM) such as scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). These techniques have been used to decipher dopant positions and other sub-atomic structural changes introduced to the MoS₂ structure by isolated dopants.     

Distribution of trace elements in a modified and grain refined aluminium–silicon hypoeutectic alloy

The influence of modifier and grain refiner on the nucleation process of a commercial hypoeutectic Al–Si foundry alloy (A356) was investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis technique (EPMA). Filtering was used to improve the casting quality; however, it compromised the modification of silicon. Effect of filtering on strontium loss was also studied using the afore-mentioned techniques.EPMA was used to trace the modifying and grain refining agents inside matrix and eutectic Si. This was to help understanding mechanisms of nucleation and modification in this alloy. Using EPMA, the negative interaction of Sr and Al3TiB was closely examined. In modified structure, it was found that the maximum point of Sr concentration was in line with peak of silicon; however, in case of just 0.1 wt% added Ti, the peak of Ti concentration was not in line with aluminium, (but it was close to Si peak). Furthermore, EPMA results showed that using filter during casting process lowered the strontium content, although produced a cleaner melt.     

Investigating semiconductor layered systems of photonics

The structure of a heterostructures-based semiconductor laser is experimentally investigated by complex means involving systems of scanning electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The possibilities of high-resolution microscopy for diagnostics of layered microelectronic systems are demonstrated.     

氟锆酸盐光纤玻璃中析晶相的电子探针分析

本文利用大视场光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜配合能量色散谱仪及分光光谱仪对zrF_4-BaF_2-LaF_3-AlF_3-NaF氟化物玻璃中存在的一些微晶颗粒进行了分析,确定为玻璃中不同尺寸的LaF_3晶粒的存在,并对所采用的分析方法的利弊进行了讨论.     

Theoretical Analyses on the Resolution of Collection Mode Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy

Numerical simulations have been carried out in the framework of waveguide theory to model collection mode scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). The theoretical model includes the optical fiber end and describes the metal coated aperture on the probe tip. The developed formalism goes beyond the existing Bethe-Bouwkamp theories for electromagnetic transmission of subwavelength apertures. The finite coating and optical fiber end are now taken into account. The new features enable us to simulate the near-field probes that are widely used in the collection mode SNOM. The emphases of the numerical analyses have been mainly on the resolution mechanism of the microscopy. Influence on the resolution from important parameters of the probe tips, such as the size of the apertures and the probe-sample distance, is extensively studied. The resolution dependence has been analyzed in the light of the near-field coupling efficiency of the probe tip. An optimum tip size has been found which is balanced between the significant signal transmission and the resolution of the device.     

Mathematical and physical considerations on the spatial resolution in scanning Auger electron microscopy

A simple mathematical model is used to evaluate the spatial resolution in scanning Auger microscopy (SAM). This model includes for the first time all the possible causes of Auger electron production and broadening (impact parameter effect, backscattering effect, X-ray induced Auger electron production). The conclusions depend greatly upon the criteria of resolution used (Δ(50) or δ(10–90)). Physical limitations due to the impact parameter and influence of X-ray-induced electron production are established. This model is in good agreement with the experimental data. Applications to scanning electron microscopy and other microanalysis techniques are also suggested.