A cantilever-based probe is introduced for use in scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) combined with scanning atomic-force microscopy (AFM). The probes consist of silicon cantilevers with integrated 25-mum-high fused-silica tips. The probes are batch fabricated by microfabrication technology. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the transparent quartz tips are completely covered with an opaque aluminum layer before the SNOM measurement. Static and dynamic AFM imaging was performed. SNOM imaging in transmission mode of single fluorescent molecules shows an optical resolution better than 32 nm.
Surface plasmon (SP) reflectivity and transmissivity of narrow grooves in silver films are studied. The SP source is the probe of a scanning near-field optical microscope. Locally detected leakage radiation from the SP provides detailed information on the paths of SP propagation, in particular the influence of perturbations. Global detection provides representative average data on the SP properties of a given metal film and its structures. A groove of 200 nm width, for instance, reflects/transmits about 15%/80% of 'blue-green' SP radiation at normal incidence.
We demonstrate high resolution imaging with microfabricated, cantilevered probes, consisting of solid quartz tips on silicon levers. The tips are covered by a 60‐nm thick layer of aluminium, which appears to be closed at the apex when investigated by transmission electron microscopy. An instrument specifically built for cantilever probes was used to record images of latex bead projection patterns in transmission as well as single molecule fluorescence. All images were recorded in constant height mode and show optical resolutions down to 32 nm.
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