Do you want to publish a course? Click here

Optical Near-Field Electron Microscopy

318   0   0.0 ( 0 )
 Publication date 2021
  fields Physics
and research's language is English




Ask ChatGPT about the research

Imaging dynamical processes at interfaces and on the nanoscale is of great importance throughout science and technology. While light-optical imaging techniques often cannot provide the necessary spatial resolution, electron-optical techniques damage the specimen and cause dose-induced artefacts. Here, Optical Near-field Electron Microscopy (ONEM) is proposed, an imaging technique that combines non-invasive probing with light, with a high spatial resolution read-out via electron optics. Close to the specimen, the optical near-fields are converted into a spatially varying electron flux using a planar photocathode. The electron flux is imaged using low energy electron microscopy, enabling label-free nanometric resolution without the need to scan a probe across the sample. The specimen is never exposed to damaging electrons.



rate research

Read More

Characterizing and controlling the out-of-equilibrium state of nanostructured Mott insulators hold great promises for emerging quantum technologies while providing an exciting playground for investigating fundamental physics of strongly-correlated systems. Here, we use two-colour near-field ultrafast electron microscopy to photo-induce the insulator-to-metal transition in a single VO2 nanowire and probe the ensuing electronic dynamics with combined nanometer-femtosecond resolution. We take advantage of a femtosecond temporal gating of the electron pulse mediated by an infrared laser pulse, and exploit the sensitivity of inelastic electron-light scattering to changes in the material dielectric function. By spatially mapping the near-field dynamics of an individual nanowire of VO2, we observe that ultrafast photo-doping drives the system into a metallic state on a time scale of about 150 fs without yet perturbing the crystalline lattice. Due to the high versatility and sensitivity of the electron probe, our method would allow capturing the electronic dynamics of a wide range of nanoscale materials with ultimate spatio-temporal resolution.
In the quest for dynamic multimodal probing of a materials structure and functionality, it is critical to be able to quantify the chemical state on the atomic and nanoscale using element specific electronic and structurally sensitive tools such as electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Ultrafast EELF, with combined energy, time, and spatial resolution in a transmission electron microscope, has recently enabled transformative studies of photo excited nanostructure evolution and mapping of evanescent electromagnetic fields. This article aims to describe the state of the art experimental techniques in this emerging field and its major uses and future applications.
Plasmonic metasurfaces have spawned the field of flat optics using nanostructured planar metallic or dielectric surfaces that can replace bulky optical elements and enhance the capabilities of traditional far-field optics. Furthermore, the potential of flat optics can go far beyond far-field modulation, and can be exploited for functionality in the near-field itself. Here, we design metasurfaces based on aperiodic arrays of plasmonic Au nanostructures for tailoring the optical near-field in the visible and near-infrared spectral range. The basic element of the arrays is a rhomboid that is modulated in size, orientation and position to achieve the desired functionality of the micron-size metasurface structure. Using two-photon-photoluminescence as a tool to probethe near-field profiles in the plane of the metasurfaces, we demonstrate the molding of light into different near-field intensity patterns and active pattern control via the far-field illumination. Finite element method simulations reveal that the near-field modulation occurs via a combination of the plasmonic resonances of the rhomboids and field enhancement in the nanoscale gaps in between the elements. This approach enables optical elements that can switch the near-field distribution across the metasurface via wavelength and polarization of the incident far-field light, and provides pathways for light matter interaction in integrated devices.
We present a method to realize active optical tips for use in near-field optics that can operate at room temperature. A metal-coated optical tip is covered with a thin polymer layer stained with CdSe nanocrystals or nanorods at low density. The time analysis of the emission rate and emission spectra of the active tips reveal that a very small number of particles - possibly down to only one - can be made active at the tip apex. This opens the way to near-field optics with a single inorganic nanoparticle as a light source.
Electrical double layers play a key role in a variety of electrochemical systems. The mean free path of secondary electrons in aqueous solutions is on the order of a nanometer, making them suitable for probing of ultrathin electrical double layers at solid-liquid electrolyte interfaces. Employing graphene as an electron-transparent electrode in a two-electrode electrochemical system, we show that the secondary electron yield of the graphene-liquid interface depends on the ionic strength and concentration of electrolyte and applied bias at the remote counter electrode. These observations have been related to polarization-induced changes in the potential distribution within the electrical double layer and demonstrate the feasibility of using scanning electron microscopy to examine and map electrified liquid-solid interfaces
comments
Fetching comments Fetching comments
Sign in to be able to follow your search criteria
mircosoft-partner

هل ترغب بارسال اشعارات عن اخر التحديثات في شمرا-اكاديميا