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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 17, Iss. 26 — Dec. 21, 2009
  • pp: 23785–23792

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 17 > Issue 26 > Page 23785

Differential Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy with THz quantum cascade laser sources

R. Degl'Innocenti, M. Montinaro, J. Xu, V. Piazza, P. Pingue, A. Tredicucci, F. Beltram, H. E. Beere, and D. A. Ritchie  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 26, pp. 23785-23792 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.023785


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Abstract

We have realized a differential Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM) working with subwavelength resolution in the THz spectral region. The system employs a quantum cascade laser emitting at λ ~105 µm as source, and the method, differently from conventional NSOM, involves diffracting apertures with size comparable to the wavelength. This concept ensures a higher signal-to-noise level at the expense of an additional computational step. In the implementation here reported λ/10 resolution has been achieved; present limiting factors are investigated through finite difference time domain simulations.

© 2009 Optical Society of America

OCIS Codes
(180.4243) Microscopy : Near-field microscopy
(140.5965) Lasers and laser optics : Semiconductor lasers, quantum cascade
(110.6795) Imaging systems : Terahertz imaging

ToC Category:
Microscopy

History
Original Manuscript: October 16, 2009
Revised Manuscript: November 21, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: November 29, 2009
Published: December 11, 2009

Virtual Issues
Vol. 5, Iss. 1 Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Citation
R. Degl'Innocenti, M. Montinaro, J. Xu, V. Piazza, P. Pingue, A. Tredicucci, F. Beltram, H. E. Beere, and D. A. Ritchie, "Differential Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy with THz quantum cascade laser sources," Opt. Express 17, 23785-23792 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-26-23785


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