Coherent near field optical microscopy

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 174; no. 1; pp. 33 - 41
• Main Authors: Averbukh, I.Sh, Chernobrod, B.M., Sedletsky, O.A., Prior, Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.01.2000; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Apertureless SNOM; Exact sciences and technology; Field enhancement; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Light scattering; Near-field scanning optical microscopes; Physics; Scanning probe microscopes, components and techniques; Single molecules; Apertureless SNOM; 87.64.Xx; Field enhancement; 41.20.Cv; Light scattering; Single molecules; Electromagnetic wave scattering; Apertureless probe; Experimental study; Spatial resolution; Scanning near field optical microscopy; Single molecule
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/S0030-4018(99)00696-3

The light scattering from a single resonant molecule, or nano-sized particle located near the tip of an apertureless scanning near-field microscope is studied, and different regimes of scattering are analyzed. The tip enhances the external field, and serves as an efficient transmission `antenna' for the molecular dipole oscillations. The light scattering occurs via two channels: direct scattering from the tip, and tip-mediated molecular scattering. The total detected intensity of the scattered light shows interference of the channels, which we suggest to use for efficient near-field microscopy. At certain detunings from resonances the scanning signal experiences spatial narrowing similar to that one observed in two-photon microscopy, thus allowing for sub-nanometer resolution.