KEYWORDS: Near field, Plasmonics, Atomic force microscopy, Near field optics, Gold, Nanostructures, Lithium, Metamaterials, Current controlled current source
We demonstrate the ability to map photo-induced gradient forces in materials, using a setup akin to atomic force microscopy. This technique allows for the simultaneous characterization of topographical features and optical near-fields in materials, with a high spatio-temporal resolution. We show that the near-field gradient forces can be translated onto electric fields, enabling the mapping of plasmonic hot-spots in gold nanostructures, and the resolution of sub-10 nm features in photocatalytic materials. We further show that the dispersion-sensitive nature of near-field gradient forces can be used to image and distinguish atomically thin layers of 2-D materials, with high contrast.
Publisher’s Note: This paper, originally published on 17 September 2016, was withdrawn per author request. If you have any questions please contact SPIE Digital Library Customer Service for assistance.
Surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) has been gaining substantial attention by using plasmonic nanoantennas to amplify near-field intensities so that it can extend IR spectroscopy to zeptomolar quantities and ultimately to the sigle-molecule level. Here we report a new nanoantenna for SEIRA detection, consisting of a fan-shaped Au structure positioned at a well-specified distance above a reflective plane with an intervening silica spacer layer. This antenna can be easily tuned to overlap vibrational modes within a broad spectral range from the near-IR into terahertz regimes. Our finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations reveal a maximum SEIRA enhancement factor of 105 in the antenna junction area, which is corresponding to the experimental detection of 20-200 zeptomoles of octadecanethiol, using a standard commercial FTIR spectrometer. Our optimized antenna exhibits an order of magnitude greater SEIRA sensitivity than previous record-setting designs, which opens new opportunities for using infrared spectroscopy to analyze exceptionally small quantities of molecules.
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