Resolution nanometric spatial

In 1994, we proposed that a metallic needle having a nano-tip at its apex be employed as a nano-light-source for microscopy attaining nanometric spatial resolution [2]. Later, we expanded the technique to Raman spectroscopy for molecular nano-identification, nano-analysis and nano-imaging. In this chapter, we give a brief introduction to local plasmons and microscopy using a metallic nano-needle to produce the local plasmons. Then, we describe the microscope that we built and... 

For the investigation of polymer systems under spatial confinement, fluorescence microscopy is a powerful method providing valuable information with high sensitivity. A fluorescence microscopy technique with nanometric spatial resolution and nanosecond temporal resolution has been developed, and was used to study the structure and dynamics of polymer chains under spatial confinement a polymer chain in an ultra-thin film and a chain grafted on a solid substrate. Studies on the conformation of the single polymer chain in a thin film and the local segmental motion of the graft polymer chain are described herein. 

Near-field scanning optical microscopy is a scanning probe technique that enables optical measurements to be conducted with very high spatial resolution [7-9]. NSOM overcomes the diffraction barrier that restricts the spatial resolution in conventional optical measurements and provides both optical and topographical information on samples with nanometric spatial resolution. 

Leggett, G.J., Brewerh, N.J., Chonga, K.S.L. Friction force microscopy towards quantitative analysis of molecular organisation with nanometre spatial resolution. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 7, 1107-1120(2007)... 

NRA is a powerful method of obtaining concentration versus depth profiles of labelled polymer chains in films up to several microns thick with a spatial resolution of down to a few nanometres. This involves the detection of gamma rays produced by irradiation by energetic ions to induce a resonant nuclear reaction at various depths in the sample. In order to avoid permanent radioactivity in the specimen, the energy of the projectile is maintained at a relatively low value. Due to the large coulomb barrier around heavy nuclei, only light nuclei may be easily identified (atomic mass < 30). 

There was, however, one topic which was not included in the first edition, which has undergone substantial development in the intervening years. It could have been foreseen in 1986 a paper was presented at the IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium entitled Ultrasonic pin scanning microscope a new approach to ultrasonic microscopy (Zieniuk and Latuszek 1986,1987). With the advent of atomic force microscopy, it proved possible to combine the nanometre-scale spatial resolution of scanning probe microscopy with the sensitivity to mechanical properties of acoustic microscopy. The technique became known as ultrasonic force microscopy, and has been joined by cognate techniques such as atomic force acoustic microscopy, scanning local-acceleration microscopy, and heterodyne force microscopy. 

Overall, XPS provides quantitative elemental and chemical/oxidation state information from the outermost few nanometres (surface) of a solid material. Quantitative elemental and chemical/oxidation state nuqtping by XPS can also be carried out, with a spatial resolution of less than 10 microns. This imaging tool, in combination with the spectra, is proving valuable for the evaluation and optimisation of coating coverage/unifoimity on material sur ces. 

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