Development of a multipurpose near-field imaging platform

Abstract

The idea of combining the high spatial resolution of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) with traditional optical imaging techniques has been revolutionizing for multiple fields - Condensed Matter Physics, Material Science, Chemistry, and Biology. This high potential is met with the special requirements of sub-nanometer SPM, and the resulting instrument is usually sophisticated, expensive, and requires continuous maintenance. Therefore, we propose expanding and augmenting a traditional Raman microscope to a multipurpose near-field imaging platform by integrating onto the existing setup a home-built, open-source, ultra-compact SPM system that is designed to be minimally invasive. Our goal is to develop a complete suite comprising scanning probe microscopy, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), and scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) functionalities - all compatible with cryogenic operation. As a result of the simplicity and modular design, the system can be readily reconfigured to fulfill the requirements of different samples or to accommodate other material analysis techniques such as scanning microwave impedance microscopy (sMIM).