Work

Robust Tipless Positioning Device for Near-Field Investigations: Press and Roll Scan (PROscan)

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Scanning probe microscopes scan and manipulate a sharp tip in the immediate vicinity of a sample surface. The limited bandwidth of the feedback mechanism used for stabilizing the separation between the tip and the sample makes the fragile nanoscopic tip very susceptible to mechanical instabilities. We propose, demonstrate, and characterize an alternative device based on bulging a thin substrate against a second substrate and rolling them with respect to each other. We showcase the power of this method by placing gold nanoparticles and semiconductor quantum dots on the two opposite substrates and positioning them with nanometer precision to enhance the fluorescence intensity and emission rate. Furthermore, we exhibit the passive mechanical stability of the system over more than 1 h. Our design concept finds applications in a variety of other scientific and technological contexts, where nanoscopic features have to be positioned and kept near contact with each other.

Source: ACS Nano

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c05047

Authors: Hsuan-Wei Liu, Michael A. Becker, Korenobu Matsuzaki, Randhir Kumar, Stephan Götzinger, Vahid Sandoghdar

Institutions: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

Language: English

Topic: Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $5,000

Funders: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, HORIZON EUROPE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions