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Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

| EXPLORING THE INTERFACE OF LIGHT AND BIOMEDICINE

  • Editor: Gregory W. Faris
  • Vol. 3, Iss. 9 — Sep. 8, 2008

Optics InfoBase > Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics > Volume 3 > Issue 9 > Page 12302

Gold nanoparticle tips for optical field confinement in infrared scattering near-field optical microscopy

Marc Tobias Wenzel, Thomas Härtling, Phillip Olk, Susanne C. Kehr, Stefan Grafström, Stephan Winnerl, Manfred Helm, and Lukas M. Eng  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 16, Issue 16, pp. 12302-12312 (2008)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.16.012302


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Abstract

We report on the implementation of metal nanoparticles as probes for scattering and apertureless near-field optical investigations in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral regime. At these wavelengths, an efficient electric-field confinement is necessary and achieved here through a gold metal nanoparticle of 80 nm in diameter (Au80-MNP) acting as the optical antenna. The Au80-MNP is attached to a standard AFM cantilever used as the spatial manipulator. When approached to a sample surface while being illuminated with an infrared beam, the Au80-MNP produces a considerably improved spatial confinement of the electric field compared to an ordinary scattering AFM tip. We demonstrate here the confinement normal to the sample surface by making use of a sample-induced phonon polariton resonance in a ferroelectric lithium niobate sample. Our experimental findings are in very good agreement with the quasistatic dipole model and show improved optical resolution via well-selected antenna particles.

© 2008 Optical Society of America

OCIS Codes
(110.3080) Imaging systems : Infrared imaging
(120.5820) Instrumentation, measurement, and metrology : Scattering measurements
(180.5810) Microscopy : Scanning microscopy
(300.6340) Spectroscopy : Spectroscopy, infrared
(180.4243) Microscopy : Near-field microscopy

ToC Category:
Microscopy

History
Original Manuscript: April 16, 2008
Revised Manuscript: June 26, 2008
Manuscript Accepted: June 27, 2008
Published: August 1, 2008

Virtual Issues
Vol. 3, Iss. 9 Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Citation
Marc Tobias Wenzel, Thomas Härtling, Phillip Olk, Susanne C. Kehr, Stefan Grafström, Stephan Winnerl, Manfred Helm, and Lukas M. Eng, "Gold nanoparticle tips for optical field confinement in infrared scattering near-field optical microscopy," Opt. Express 16, 12302-12312 (2008)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/vjbo/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-16-16-12302


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