This technique provides information about the complex optical properties of the nanoscale region of the sample under a metallized tip. Specifically, both the optical amplitude and phase of the scattered light can be measured.

With appropriate models, these measurements can estimate the complex optical constants (n, k) of the material. Additionally, the optical phase versus wavelength provides a good approximation to a conventional IR absorption spectrum usually grazing Incidence.

The s-SNOM technique works on a variety of materials, but the best signal to noise tends to be on harder materials with high reflectivity, high dielectric constants, and/or strong optical resonances

10nm Spatial Resolution Chemical Imaging and Spectroscopy

Graphene Plasmonics

s-SNOM phase and amplitude images of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) on a graphene wedge. (left) s-SNOM phase with a line cross-section of the SPP standing wave; (right) s-SNOM amplitude. Top image is a 3D view of Phase image (left).

High Resolution Property Mapping

Cross-section through the graphene flake shows sub 10nm resolution optical property imaging.

Highest Performance Nano FTIR Spectroscopy

Highest performance IR SNOM spectroscopy with the most advanced nanoIR laser source available
nano FTIR spectroscopy with integrated DFG, continuum based laser source
Broadband synchrotron light source integration
Multi-chip QCL laser source for spectroscopy and chemical imaging

Ultrafast-broadband scattering SNOM spectroscopy probing molecular vibrational information. Laser interferogram of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) shows coherent molecular vibration in the form of free-induction decay in time domain (top). The highlighted feature in sample interferogram is due to the beating of symmetric and antisymmetric mode of C-F modes in the resulting the frequency domain (bottom left). Monolayer sensitivity of nano-FTIR is demonstrated on a monolayer pNTP (bottom right). Data courtesy of Prof. Markus Raschke, University of Colorado, Boulder, US

Combine S-SNOM and AFM-IR to Create Remarkable New Data

Complementary AFM-IR and Scattering SNOM images reveal, for the first time, the microscale origins of optical chirality on plasmonics structures. By accessing both the radiative (s-SNOM) and non-radiative (AFM-IR) information on plasmonics structures, unique and complementary plasmonic properties can be obtained. Khanikaev et al., Nat. Comm. 7, 12045 (‘16). Doi:10.1038/ncomms12045

Read the Application Brief: Experimental Demonstration of the Microscopic Origin of Circular Dichroism in 2D Metamaterials

nano-IR3-s Extends Beyond nanoIR to Visible and THz and Synchrotron Beam

nanoIR3-s enables visible SNOM imaging
System supports THz imaging and spectroscopy
Special design available for use in synchrotron
Easy change over of laser set up to maximize measurement time
Simple swap out of optics components and detectors

s-SNOM Phase

Visible imaging with s-SNOM using 633nm HeNe laser

Eliminating the Need for Complex Optical Alignments

Patented adaptive beam steering and all reflective optics enables broad wavelength compatibility while eliminating realignment and refocusing at different wavelengths
Patented dynamic power control maintains optimal power and signal over broad range of sources, wavelengths and samples
Pre-mounted probes and motorized tip, sample and source alignment eliminates tedious steps in probe installation and re-optimization

Learn More

Webinar: Nano-imaging and IR Spectroscopy of Novel Quantum and Photonic Materials Using s-SNOM and AFM-IR