Infrared Vibrational Nano-Spectroscopy: Pushing Sensitivity and Application Space for Bio-imaging

We request access to the scattering scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM) we have developed during a partner proposal, and scanning electron microscope / focused ion beam (SEM/FIB) facility. We propose to perform nanoscale infrared vibrational chemical spectroscopy and imaging on molecular nanostructures and biological molecules. Using FIB to modify s-SNOM probes will allow us to push sensitivity and spatial resolution of the setup to the single molecule limit. From probing nanoscopic molecular ensembles we gain insight into structure, coupling, and dynamics otherwise hidden in macroscopic ensemble measurements. Our work will include making the s-SNOM setup more broadly available for the user program, by developing user protocols, training staff, and making some hardware
modifications to allow for easier optical alignment and more routine data acquisition.