PubMed Health⌕ Search

PubMed · 15306495

Tip-enhanced optical spectroscopy.

Abstract

Spectroscopic methods with high spatial resolution are essential for understanding the physical and chemical properties of nanoscale materials including biological proteins, quantum structures and nanocomposite materials. In this paper, we describe microscopic techniques which rely on the enhanced electric field near a sharp, laser-irradiated metal tip. This confined light-source can be used for the excitation of various optical interactions such as two-photon excited fluorescence or Raman scattering. We study the properties of the enhanced fields and demonstrate fluorescence and Raman imaging with sub-20 nm resolution.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Achim Hartschuh, Michael R Beversluis, Alexandre Bouhelier, Lukas Novotny. 2004-04-15. Tip-enhanced optical spectroscopy.. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2003.1348

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Recent progress in ultrafast X-ray diffraction.

X-ray diffraction with femtosecond time-resolution represents a direct probe of ultrafast structural changes in condensed matter. The generation of ultrashort X-ray pulses in laser-driven plasma and/or accelerator-based sources has made substantial progress, and has allowed for studies of transient structures with an unprecedented accuracy. Herein, recent work on transient crystalline structures is reviewed, with the focus on laser-based experiments.

Lasers↗

Monitoring the ups and downs of pulsed dye laser energy output.

The internal energy meter reading of a Chromos pulsed dye laser (PDL) set at 50% of maximum pumping energy was recorded at the start of every clinical session over an 898 day period and compared with the measurement from an Ophir Optronics 'Nova' external energy meter. This quick and inexpensive process improved quality control procedures for the use of the PDL and enabled the performance of laser components such as the dye, pumping mechanism and optics to be monitored. The stability of the laser output energy was also monitored during three simulated clinics on days 665, 870 and 898. External energy meter readings were recorded every 100 pulses during each simulated clinic comprising six series of 500 pulses. As the energy output was shown to be stable during each clinic (SD<4.7%) recalibration during treatments of up to 500 pulses with this laser was deemed to be unnecessary. However, it was noted that this output energy stability was maintained by varying the pumping energy from 42 to 88% of maximum. Subsequent measurements of pulse width conducted with an ET-2000 Silicon Photodetector demonstrated that although the nominal pulse width was 450 mus, this varied from 240 to 390 mus as the pumping energy increased from 20 to 50%.

Lasers↗

Laser sources for precision spectroscopy on atomic strontium.

We present a new laser setup designed for high-precision spectroscopy on laser cooled atomic strontium. The system, which is entirely based on semiconductor laser sources, delivers 200 mW at 461 nm for cooling and trapping atomic strontium from a thermal source, 4 mW at 497 nm for optical pumping from the metastable P23 state, 12 mW at 689 nm on linewidth less than 1 kHz for second-stage cooling of the atomic sample down to the recoil limit, 1.2 W at 922 nm for optical trapping close to the "magic wavelength" for the 0-1 intercombination line at 689 nm. The 689 nm laser was already employed to perform a frequency measurement of the 0-1 intercombination line with a relative accuracy of 2.3 x 10(-11), and the ensemble of laser sources allowed the loading in a conservative dipole trap of multi-isotopes strontium mixtures. The simple and compact setup developed represents one of the first steps towards the realization of a transportable optical standards referenced to atomic strontium.

Lasers↗