Infrared Mapping below the Diffraction Limit

In infrared microscopy, the rule of thumb is that you cannot obtain a transmission spectrum of an object smaller than 10 pm in diameter. The 10 pm minimum is based on the diffraction of Ught around an object at or near the wavelength of light (see Chapter 1). Recently, researchers have developed approaches that can overcome this limit. This chapter explores these new approaches and the theory necessary to understand both the Umitations of current techniques and the basis for these novel techniques. 

Near-Fleld Microscopy with Small Apertures 

Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Imaging, Second Edition. Edited by Reiner Salzer, Heinz W. Siesler. 

AFM topographic image of a PS/PEA biend measured with a probe-to-sample separation of about 300 nm biack and white represent the minimum and maximum heights, respectiveiy. (b) image constmcted from the infrared data, (c) Scaied infrared spectra of 

PS (soiid iine) and PEA (broken iine) with the reiative intensity spectrum of the broadband iaser used to fabricate the image shown in (b). (Reprinted with permission from Ref. 

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