Polarized light microscopy and spectroscopy of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Polarized light microscopy (PLM) is used to image individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) suspended in air across a slit opening. The imaging contrast relies on the strong optical anisotropy typical of SWNTs. We combine PLM with a tunable light source to enable hyperspectral excitation spectroscopy and nanotube chirality assignment. Comparison with fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy confirms the assignment made with PLM. This represents a versatile new approach to imaging SWNTs and related structures.

Excitonic optical transitions characterized by Raman excitation profiles in single-walled carbon nanotubes

“…We further checked that, in the studied laser energy range, the silicon sample intensity exhibits a dependency similar to CaF 2 , diamond, or graphite. Rayleigh spectra of individual free-standing SWNTs were measured in a backscattering geometry using a cross-polarization scheme [27] with a Fianium supercontinuum laser as a light source and a fiber-fitted QE-Pro Ocean Optics spectrometer for detection.…”

Direct measurement of the absolute absorption spectrum of individual semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes

“…This can be avoided by performing optical investigations at the individual nanotube level. Such approach has been increasingly developed during the last years, yielding optical imaging of individual CNTs and information on their excitonic resonant energies and linewidths [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] . No quantitative determination of the amplitude of the absorption cross-section was obtained, except at specific wavelengths using luminescence, thermal or Rayleigh scattering techniques 9,14,16,17 .…”

High-throughput optical imaging and spectroscopy of individual carbon nanotubes in devices

“…Currently nanotube research faces two outstanding challenges: (1) achieving chirality-controlled nanotube growth and (2) understanding chirality-dependent nanotube device physics. Addressing these challenges requires, respectively, high-throughput determination of nanotube chirality distribution on growth substrates and in-situ characterization of nanotube electronic structure in operating devices.Direct optical imaging and spectroscopy is well suited for these goals [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] , but its realization for single nanotubes on substrates or in devices has been an outstanding challenge due to small nanotube signal and unavoidable environment background. Here we demonstrate for the first time high-throughput real-time optical imaging and broadband spectroscopy of individual nanotubes in devices using a polarization-based microscopy combined with supercontinuum laser illumination.…”

“…Direct optical imaging and spectroscopy is well suited for these goals [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] , but its realization for single nanotubes on substrates or in devices has been an outstanding challenge due to small nanotube signal and unavoidable environment background. Here we demonstrate for the first time high-throughput real-time optical imaging and broadband spectroscopy of individual nanotubes in devices using a polarization-based microscopy combined with supercontinuum laser illumination.…”

“…Highthroughput and in-situ chirality and electronic structural characterization of individual carbon nanotubes is crucial for addressing these challenges. Optical imaging and spectroscopy has unparalleled throughput and specificity [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] , but its realization for single nanotubes on substrates or in devices has long been an outstanding challenge.…”