Technological EMU: acquisition of a near-field scanning optical microscopy system coupled with atomic force microscopy and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for chemical and physical imaging at micro and nanoscale

Abstract

By coupling confocal optical spectroscopy with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) concepts, notably tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), key members of the next generation of tools of multimodal imaging for materials characterization is emerging. Laser spectroscopy and AFM have become irreplaceable tools in many fields of science and technology. The AFM technique provides electrical, mechanical and other physical properties with nanoscale resolution, but does not provide information on chemical specificity. On the other hand, Raman spectroscopy, fills this gap, but has a fundamental limitation - the spatial resolution. The integration of both techniques overcomes this gap. These innovative tools are being applied with great impact in the field of condensed matter physics, and in broader communities, including chemistry, dentistry, medicine and various fields of engineering. The growing number of unpublished images and data available will benefit the creation of efficient multidisciplinary platforms to display, organize and compare results between different academic or non-academic research groups. Overall, research using Scanning Near Field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) demonstrates that the tool is indispensable in the future exploration of different nanoscopic characteristics of materials, nanostructures or nanodevices. In this context, this proposal for multi-user equipment aims to acquire a SNOM system coupled with AFM/TERS with the objective of leveraging research among the FAPESP thematic projects associated with the ITA, UNESP and INPE institutions, and, in addition to these, other research projects of academic or non-academic research groups in the State of São Paulo. It is important to highlight that such equipment will be the first to be implemented in the State of São Paulo and has a strong characteristic in terms of innovation and cutting-edge technology, enabling the nucleation of innovative research projects in the industry, startups and in the academy itself. (AU)