Surface plasmon mediated near-field imaging and optical addressing in nanoscience

We present an overview of recent progress in "plasmonics". We focus our study on the observation and excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) with optical near-field microscopy. We discuss in particular recent applications of photon scanning tunnelling microscope (PSTM) for imaging of SPP propagating in metal and dielectric wave guides. We show how near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) can be used to optically and actively address remote nano objects such as quantum dots. Additionally we compare results obtained with near-field microcopy to those obtained with other optical far-field methods of analysis such as leakage radiation microscopy (LRM).     

Cloaked near-field scanning optical microscope tip for noninvasive near-field imaging

Near-field imaging is a well-established technique in biomedical measurements, since closer to the detail of interest it is possible to resolve subwavelength details otherwise unresolved by regular lenses. A near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) tip may indeed overcome the resolution limits of far-field optics, but its proximity inherently perturbs the measurement. Here, we apply the recent concept of a "cloaked sensor" to an NSOM device in collection mode, showing theoretically how a proper plasmonic cover applied to an NSOM tip may drastically improve its overall measurement capabilities.     

Cloaking apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy tips

We numerically demonstrate that properly designed plasmonic covers can be used to enhance the performance of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) systems based on the employment of apertureless metallic tip probes. The covering material, exhibiting a near-zero value of the real permittivity at the working frequency, is designed in such a way to dramatically reduce the undesired scattering due to the strongly plasmonic behavior of the tip. Though the light scattering by the tip end is necessary for the correct operation of NSOMs, the additional scattering due to the whole probe affects the signal-to-noise ratio and thus the resolution of the acquired image. By covering the whole probe but not the very tip, we show that unwanted scattering can be effectively reduced. A realistic setup, working at mid-IR frequencies and employing silicon carbide covers, has been designed and simulated to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Standing-wave spectrometry in silicon nano-waveguides using reflection-based near-field scanning optical microscopy

Utilizing reflection-based near-field scanning optical microscopy(NSOM) to image and analyze standing-wave patterns, we present a characterization technique potentially suitable for complex photonic integrated circuits. By raster scanning along the axis of a straight nano-waveguide in tapping mode and sweeping wavelength, detailed information of propagating waves in that waveguide has been extracted from analyses in both space and wavelength domains. Our technique needs no special steps for phase stabilization, thus allowing long-duration and environment-insensitive measurements. As a proof-of-concept test, in a silicon single-mode waveguide with a few of etched holes, the locations and reflection strengths of the inner defects have been quantified. The measurement uncertainty of the reflection amplitude is less than 25% at current stage. Our technique paves the way for non-destructively diagnosing photonic circuits on a chip with sub-wavelength spatial resolution and detailed information extraction.     

Hydrophobic optical elements for near-field optical analysis (NOA) in liquid environment--a preliminary study.

Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM) in liquid environment is expected to allow time resolved morphological mappings on cellular surfaces on the nanoscale level. Near-field Optical Analysis (NOA) via NSOM exploits the energy transfer from the tip of an optical element (tip diameter > or = 20nm), oscillating within the range of the characteristic length of the energy transfer ( approximately 10nm) in the near-field of the surface to be analysed. In NOA, a molecular assembly is monitored by visible light with a resolution far below the wavelength of visible light. Actually, NOA is successfully applied in mapping local optical contrasts, for instance in photonic crystals with dielectric periodicities on the nanoscale. NSOM could in principle be performed in two different modes: tapping mode, with tip-oscillations perpendicular, or shear force mode, with tip-oscillations parallel to the substrate. Both basic modes have specific advantages and disadvantages. In biological systems (e.g. in cell cultures), where scanning in liquids is prevalent, elongated optical elements non-invasively operated in the shear force modus could have some specific advantages when compared to contact modus systems. While tapping mode NSOM provides satisfactory nanoscale images even on solid surfaces covered with millimetres of liquids, the performance of shear force mode NSOM is presently largely confined to operations on dry samples. This is due to the inability of conventional shear force mode NSOM systems to provide sharp topographic images of sample surfaces substantially covered with liquids. By equipping a conventional NSOM system with hydrophobic optical elements, shear force mode based topographic images could be obtained on biological samples in dry as well as in aqueous environment, and with resolutions on the nanoscale level.     

Localization and waveguiding of surface plasmon polaritons in random nanostructures

We propose to use channels in strongly scattering nonabsorbing random media for guiding electromagnetic waves, and demonstrate this concept using near-field microscopy of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP's) propagating along the gold film surface covered with randomly located scatterers. In the wavelength range of 725-765 nm, we observe complete inhibition of the SPP propagation inside the random structures composed of approximately 50-nm-wide gold bumps and their clusters with the density of 50 microm(-2), as well as well-defined SPP guiding along corrugation-free 2- and 4-microm-wide channels.     

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.     

Thermal heat radiation,near-field energy density and near-field radiative heat transfer of coated materials

We investigate the thermal radiation and thermal near-field energy density of a metal-coated semi-infinite body for different substrates. We show that the surface polariton coupling within the metal coating leads to an enhancement of the TM-mode part of the thermal near-field energy density when a polar substrate is used. In this case the result obtained for a free standing metal film is retrieved. In contrast, in the case of a metal substrate there is no enhancement in the TM-mode part, as can also be explained within the framework of surface plasmon coupling within the coating. Finally, we discuss the influence of the enhanced thermal energy density on the near-field radiative heat transfer between a simple semi-infinite and a coated semi-infinite body for different material combinations.     

Fabrication of high-quality fiber micro-probe for near-field optical microscope by laser-assisted melting and pulling method

The fiber micro-probe for near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) was fabricated using end-fixed laser-assisted melting and pulling method. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed that the fiber probes obtained by this method possessed small diameter of tip and large conic angle. The reproducibility came close to 70%. The effects of various fabrication parameters on probes were investigated, including laser power, pulling force, and the diameter of melting zone. The optimal processing conditions were derived based on the experiments and theoretical analysis. This research provides an alternative and advantageous method for fabrication of high-quality fiber probes.     

Near-field scanning optical microscopy imaging of multimode interference

By use of a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) in collection mode, the intensity distribution along a 2 x 2 multimode interference coupler was directly imaged as a function of wavelength. Although calculations can predict the general trend of wavelength dependence and the approximate positions of multiple images in the coupler, the accuracy is poor because of uncertainties in the waveguide width. We show that direct imaging using a NSOM bypasses calculational uncertainties and proves to be a powerful technique for studying these waveguide devices.     

Near-field intensity correlations in semicontinuous metal-dielectric films

Spatial intensity correlation functions are obtained from near-field scanning optical microscope measurements of semicontinuous metal-dielectric films. The concentration of metal particles on a dielectric surface is varied over a wide range to control the scattering strength. At low and high metal coverages where scattering is weak, the intensity correlation functions exhibit oscillations in the direction of incident light due to excitation of propagating surface waves. In the intermediate regime of metal concentration, the oscillatory behavior is replaced by a monotonic decay as a result of strong scattering and anomalous absorption. Significant differences in the near-field intensity correlations between metallic and dielectric random systems are demonstrated.     

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 polarization 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 still preserves the property 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.     

Reciprocity in scanning near-field optical microscopy: illumination and collection modes of transmission measurements

We experimentally investigated the reciprocity of scanning near-field optical microscopy between illumination and collection modes. Near-field transmission images of single gold spheres and nanorods observed by the two modes are found to be equivalent to each other in the region from visible to near infrared. This result shows that reciprocity holds for the near-field scattering problems. We found that the conventional optical selection rule for far-field excitations does not apply not only under illumination mode but also with collection-mode arrangements. The possible origin of this observation might be the near-field probe.     

Measuring local optical properties: near-field polarimetry of photonic block copolymer morphology

Ultrahigh molecular weight polystyrene-b-polyisoprene block copolymers (BCs), noted for their photonic behavior, were imaged using transmission near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and NSOM polarimetry. Our improved scheme for polarization modulation (PM) polarimetry, which accounts for optical anisotropies of the NSOM aperture probe, enables mapping of the local diattenuation and birefringence (with separately aligned diattenuating and fast axes) in these specimens with subdiffraction limited resolution. PM-NSOM micrographs illuminate the mesoscopic optical nature of these BC specimens by resolving individual microphase domains and defect structures.     

Surface plasmon polariton scattering by small ellipsoid particles

Scattering of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP’s) by small ellipsoid particles placed near a dielectric–metal interface is theoretically considered. Using the Green’s function formalism and the dipole approximation, we consider the differential and total scattering cross-sections associated with the SPP-to-SPP scattering as well as with the SPP scattering into waves propagating away from the interface, analyzing the influence of system parameters. As an example, scattering cross-sections of differently shaped gold spheroid particles placed near an air–gold interface are evaluated at the light wavelength of 800 nm. It is shown that the differential and total cross-sections depend strongly upon the particle-to-surface distance, the ratio between the major and minor axes and their orientation with respect to both the interface and the direction of SPP incidence. Implications of the obtained results to the design of SPP micro-optical components are also discussed.     

飞秒时间分辨近场光学系统实现及其应用

结合飞秒光脉冲和近场光学显微镜，成功实现了飞秒时间分辨近场光学系统.系统通过高频声光调制和差频锁相探测，极大提高了信噪比并消除了抽运、探测光本底信号，从而在收集模式下测得了飞秒时间分辨的透射光微弱信号变化.同时获得了80nm的空间分辨和小于200fs的时间分辨测量.利用该实验系统，研究了金纳米结构的热电子弛豫动力学过程，观察到不同位置间热电子弛豫动力学的差异. 关键词： 飞秒近场 扫描近场光学显微镜 飞秒光脉冲 金纳米颗粒     

Theoretical model of a planar integrated refractive index sensor based on surface plasmon-polariton excitation

A theoretical model of a new integrated planar surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) refractive index sensor is presented and comprehensively investigated. The main principle of operation of this device is based on high efficiency energy transfer between a p-polarized guided mode propagating in a waveguide layer of the structure and the SPP propagating in the opposite direction in a metal layer separated from the waveguide layer by a dielectric buffer. The high efficiency energy transfer is realised by means of a properly designed Bragg grating imprinted in the waveguide layer. This device is compact, free from any moving parts and can easily be integrated into any planar scheme. Our simulations for the sensor operating at the well developed and commercialised telecom wavelengths are based on coupled mode theory.     

Mesoscale structures in luminescent conjugated polymer thin films studied by near-field scanning optical microscopy

We report the studies of various conjugated polymer thin films with near-field scanning optical microscopy, NSOM. Firstly, it is shown that MEH-PPV thin film undergoes significant changes in film morphology upon thermal annealing. The once homogeneous morphology becomes inhomogeneous after annealing. Secondly, polarization near-field measurements reveal mesoscale polymer ordering in PPV thin film. The average domain size and the coefficient for linear dichroism were studied as a function of film thickness. Finally, phase separation in polymer blend film was directly observed by transmission NSOM. Time-resolved fluorescence spectra indicate that the phase domains are decomposed of different fractions of the two constituent polymers. The near-field optical microscopy was also used to write lithographic patterns with a resolution of 100 nm, exceeding the diffraction limit.     

Theoretical model of a planar waveguide refractive index sensor assisted by a corrugated long period metal grating

A theoretical model of a novel planar integrated refractive index sensor based on surface plasmon-polariton (SPP) excitation with a corrugated metal long period grating (LPG) is presented and comprehensively investigated. The main principle of the operation this device is based on co-directional energy transfer by means of a corrugated metal LPG between a p-polarized guided mode propagating in a waveguide layer and the SPP propagating a metal layer separated from the waveguide layer by a buffer. The corrugated LPG is engraved in the metal layer in contact with the sensed medium. The power transmitted through the LPG in the guided mode serves as an input signal for an interrogation unit. This device is free from any moving parts and can be simply integrated into any planar waveguide system. Our sensor simulations are based on the local-normal-mode transfer matrix method and performed in telecom wavelength range.     

Near-field properties of diffraction through a circular subwavelength-size aperture

Analytical nonparaxial vectorial electric field expressions for both Gaussian beams and plane waves diffracted through a circular aperture are derived by using the vector plane angular spectrum method for the first time,which is suitable for the subwavelength aperture and the near-field region.The transverse properties of intensity distributions and their evolutions with the propagating distance,and the power transmission functions for diffracted fields containing the whole field,the evanescent field and the propagating field are investigated in detail,which is helpful for understanding the relationship between evanescent and propagating components in the near-field region and can be applied to apertured near-field scanning optical microscopy.