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.     

Two-Dimensional Near-Field Optical Spectroscopy in Magnetic Fields up to 4 T

We have developed a magnetic-field-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) system, which enables us to obtain two-dimensional near-field images under magnetic fields up to 4 T. We have performed two-dimensional near-field scanning optical spectroscopy on (Cd,Mn) Te self-assembled quantum dots with this system.     

Optical near-field microscopy of light focusing through a photonic crystal flat lens

We report here the direct observation by using a scanning near-field microscopy technique of the light focusing through a photonic crystal flat lens designed and fabricated to operate at optical frequencies. The lens is fabricated using a III-V semiconductor slab, and we directly visualize the propagation of the electromagnetic waves by using a scanning near-field optical microscope. We directly evidence spatially, as well as spectrally, the focusing operating regime of the lens. At last, in light of the experimental scanning near-field optical microscope pictures, we discuss the lens ability to focus light at a subwavelength scale.     

Scattering theory of Bardeen's formalism for tunneling: new approach to near-field microscopy

We propose a new theoretical approach to near-field microscopy, which allows one to deal with scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning near-field optical microscopy with a unified formalism. Under the approximation of weak tip-sample coupling, we show that Bardeen's perturbation formula, originally derived for electron tunneling, can be derived from a scattering formalism which extends its validity to electromagnetic vector fields. This result should find broad applications in near-field imaging and spectroscopy.     

Observation of nanometer-scale optical property discrimination by use of a near-field scanning apertureless microscope

We examine fundamental issues related to discriminating structural and optical features in near-field scanning apertureless microscopy. We report a series of controlled experiments with nanosphere-sized standard spheres in which we observed significant differences in resolution and structure between an atomic-force microscope image and a simultaneously acquired near-field optical (NFO) image. Further, in experiments that employed a mix of dyed and undyed nanospheres we found that we can observe differences in the same NFO image for adjacent nanospheres. Therefore we conclude that near-field scanning apertureless microscopy not only meets the criteria for a NFO image but also is capable of measuring optical properties below the diffraction limit. The two-point resolution was at least 200 nm when we were detecting optical phase and 50 nm when we were detecting optical intensity. The edge response was typically 15 nm, and the minimum observable features were of the order of 3 nm.     

近场光学扫描显微镜图像的噪音处理

在近场光学扫描显微镜及其它一些以扫描方式成像的系统中，由于图像是逐行扫描而成，因此扫描图像行与行之间存在较大的噪音.针对这种情况及相应的含噪近场光学图像模型，并结合对近场光学扫描图像及其行噪音特点的分析，提出了根据图像行间相关性寻找行噪音补偿因子.同时考虑图像背景波动性选择噪音补偿因子，以此进行行噪音的消除.在此基础上，利用小波变换进一步处理，消除随机起伏噪音.实验结果表明,本方法可以快速有效地去除扫描图像行噪音，且适用于各类扫描图像的处理.     

Hybrid near-field optical memory and photofabrication in dye-doped polymer film

A hybrid near-field fluorescence microscopy, which combines near-field scanning optical microscopy and photon scanning tunneling microscopy, is demonstrated for nanoscale optical memory and photofabrication on spin-coated dye-doped polymer films. Storage capacity and readout signal-to-noise ratio with near-field one-photon and two-photon excitations are studied.     

Near-field scanning optical microscopy studies of thin film surfaces and interfaces

In this article, the results of the modeling of topography related artifacts appearing in near-field scanning optical microscopy measurements are presented. The results obtained for near-field scanning optical microscope operation in reflection mode with off-axis far field detector position are compared with experimental results. It is shown that the chosen numerical method - Finite Difference in Time Domain method (FDTD) - can be used for efficient modeling of main topography related artifact. It is also seen that the far field detector position can have large influence on the resulting reflection mode optical images.     

Optical near-field mapping of bright and dark quantum dot states

We theoretically investigate scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) of semiconductor quantum dots. A general theoretical framework is developed that accounts for photo excitation and relaxation in complex dielectric environments. We find that in the near-field regime bright and dark excitonic states become mixed, opening new channels for the coupling to the electromagnetic field.     

SETUP AND APPLICATION OF SCANNING NEAR-FIELD OPTICAL MICROSCOPY

The research on the setup and application of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) performed in our laboratory is reviewed in this report. We have constructed a versatile low temperature scanning near-field optical microscope with the capability of near-field imaging and spectroscopy, operating at liquid nitrogen temperature. A special designed coaxial double lens was used to introduce the illumination beam through a 200μm fiber; the detected optical signal was transmitted via a fiber tip to an avalanche photon detector. The performance test shows the stability of the new design. The shear force image and optical image of a standard sample are shown. A system of SNOM working at room temperature and atmosphere was used to characterize semiconductors and bio-molecular samples. It revealed the unique features of semiconductor microdisks in the near-field that is significantly different from that of far-field. The effects of different geographic microstructures on the near-field light distribution of InGaP, GaN, and InGaN multi-quantum-well microdisk were observed.     

Dual mode near-field scanning optical microscopy for near-field imaging of surface plasmon polariton

In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that metal coated apertured probes are efficient near-field probes on surfaces with high reflectivity for the scattering as well as for the collection mode near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). We show that a blunt apertured metal coated tip is very effective in suppressing image dipoles which affect strongly the signals scattered from frequently used sharp metal tips or gold nanoparticle attached probes. By using a simultaneous collection and scattering mode (dual mode) NSOM we measure the near-field images of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) launched from a slit. The collection mode measures propagating SPP along lateral distance in a long scan range with high signal-to-noise ratio, and the scattering mode measures the polarization resolved near-field of SPP. Comparisons of the measured data obtained in the dual mode enable to easily characterize SPP and to separate the measured near-field into the propagating SPP and the directly transmitted light.     

反射式无孔径近场Raman研究(英文)

近场扫描光学显微技术与Raman光谱技术的结合能够在纳米尺度下提供化学 /结构信息 ,这对很多应用都是至关重要的 ,比如硅器件 ,纳米器件 ,量子点及生物样品单分子研究。本文报导了采用无孔径探针的近场Raman研究。我们的系统有两大特征 :1 近场Raman的增强是通过金属探针上的银镀层实现的 ,无需样品准备 ;2 系统在反射模式下工作 ,适用于任何样品。这两点对实际应用是至关重要的。我们首次在实际硅器件上用 1秒积分时间获得了 1维近场Raman映射和 2维近场Raman图象。我们首次展示了由于积分时间短 ,该技术可用于成象用途。因此 ,这是近场扫描Raman研究中的一次巨大进步。此外 ,我们系统中采用的金属探针可同时用于AFM及电学特性成象 ,比如电阻 ,电容 ,这些是器件应用中的重要参数。     

10 nm Spatial Resolution Fluorescence Imaging of Single Molecules by Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy Using a Tiny Aperture Probe

We demonstrate high-resolution fluorescence imaging of single molecules using near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) with a tiny aperture probe for two different wavelengths in visible range in the illumination mode of operation. The spatial resolutions obtained at both excitation wavelengths were almost the same and the highest resolution realized was about 10 nm. To discuss the achievable resolution in aperture NSOM, we also employed a computer simulation by the finite-difference time-domain method for various aperture sizes and wavelengths. The resolution of 10 nm is predicted to be contributed by the single peak of localized near-field light around the rim of the aperture.     

近场光学虚拟光探针的数值分析

虚拟光探针是基于近场光学隐失场干涉原理产生的一种非实体探针，可以应用于近场光学超高密度存储、纳米光刻、近场光学成像、光谱探测、纳米样品的近场光学操作等领域。本研究采用三维时间域有限差分（FDTD）方法对近场光学虚拟光探针的光场分布特性进行了数值模拟计算和比较，分析了孔的形状、大小及偏振态等因素对虚拟光探针光场分布的影响，研究结果表明虚拟光探针的通光效率较普通的纳米孔径光纤探针提高10^2-10^4倍；其光场分布的中间峰的半峰全宽（即虚拟光探针的尺寸）在一定距离范围内基本保持不变，从而可以解决近场光学系统中纳米间距控制的难题，避免光学头与介质的磁撞。优化虚拟光探针的设计参量能有效的抑制虚拟光探针中的旁瓣。文章还给出了应用虚拟探针实现高密度光存储的原理方案。     

Photopatterning of a monomolecular dye film by means of scanning near-field optical microscopy

Patterned bleaching of a photolabile monomolecular dye film by means of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) is demonstrated. After exposure, the written patterns were verified by SNOM with fluorescence detection. The adsorption of appropriate material to such near-field optically created patterns seems now feasible. The ultimate resolution limit of a monomolecular dye film for patterned bleaching by SNOM is discussed on the basis of a simple model.     

纳米光学和生物单分子探测

纳米光学技术展示了纳米级探测本领，同时生物单分子探测所需要分辨尺度也是纳米数量级的，因此在生物单分子探测过程中，纳米光学发挥了巨大的作用．文章介绍了与生物单分子探测技术相关的纳米光学技术，包括量子近场光学探针技术、近场光学成像技术(包括扫描近场光学显微术及全内反射荧光显微术)和激光光钳测控技术及它们在生物单分子探测上的进展，从而在染色、成像、测控三个方面展示了纳米光学技术在生物方面的应用，并对其未来的发展方向进行了展望．     

Near-field microscopy with a scanning nitrogen-vacancy color center in a diamond nanocrystal: A brief review

We review our recent developments of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) that uses an active tip made of a single fluorescent nanodiamond (ND) grafted onto the apex of a substrate fiber tip. The ND hosting a limited number of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers, such a tip is a scanning quantum source of light. The method for preparing the ND-based tips and their basic properties are summarized. Then we discuss theoretically the concept of spatial resolution that is achievable in this special NSOM configuration and find it to be only limited by the scan height over the imaged system, in contrast with the standard aperture-tip NSOM whose resolution depends critically on both the scan height and aperture diameter. Finally, we describe a scheme we have introduced recently for high-resolution imaging of nanoplasmonic structures with ND-based tips that is capable of approaching the ultimate resolution anticipated by theory.     

Tip-Nanoparticle Near-Field Coupling in Scanning Near-Field Microscopy by Coupled Dipole Method

We use the couple dipole method to investigate the scanning near-field optical microscopy metallic tip-nanoparticle near-field interaction. Dependences of the local field intensity inside the nanoparticle on the nanosized tip shape,the tip open angle and the illumination angle are revealed. In combination with the previous results, we establish a complete model to understand the tip-nanoparticle near-field coupling mechanism.     

Simulation of photodetection using finite-difference time-domain method with application to near-field subwavelength imaging based on nanoscale semiconductor photodetector array

Simulation of detecting photoelectrons using multi-level multi-electron (MLME) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method with an application to near-field subwavelength imaging based on semiconductor nanophotodetector (NPD) array is reported. The photocurrents from the photodiode pixels are obtained to explore the resolution of this novel NPD device for subwavelength imaging. One limiting factor of the NPD device is the optical power coupling between adjacent detector pixels. We investigate such power coupling in the presence of absorbing media as well as the spatial distributions of the electric field and photoelectron density using the MLME FDTD simulation. Our results show that the detection resolution is about one tenth of the operating wavelength, which is comparable to that of a near-field scanning optical microscope based on metal clad tapered fiber.     

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.