Del Mar Photonics

Femtosecond ready NSOM-AFM-STM (Request a quote)


Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM) is a versatile tool for nano-characterization and nanomanufacturing.
Conventional microscopes have fundamentally limited resolution due to diffraction, but there is no such restriction for near-field interactions, that is why near-field microscopy is becoming one of the most important techniques for nano-science.
Possible applications of this tool are characterization of photonic nanodevices, bio photonics (investigation of cells, viruses, DNA molecules), nano-chemistry (chemical reactions control), nanoscale photolithography (processing of photosensitive polymers). NSOM delivered femto-second pulses can be used for nanometer-scale surface topology modification. Temporal resolution provided by femtosecond laser opens wide range of new possibilities such as: transport dynamics studies of nanostructured materials, pump-probe experiments, ultra fast coherent and Raman spectroscopy. Spatial optical resolution of the tool is better than 100 nm and temporal resolution in the pulse operation mode is better than 100 fs. Tunable CW operation for spectral measurements is also available, wavelength range in this case is 710-950 nm.
Advanced Nearfield Scanning Optical Microscopy/Atomic Force Microscopy/Scanning Probe Microscopy systems (NSOM-AFM-SPM) are used for numerous applications in materials research, including semiconductors, data storage, electronic materials, solar cells, polymers, catalysts, life sciences and nano-sciences. NSOM-AFM-SPM is a well-established method for ultra-high nano-scale spatial resolution surface imaging and the characterization of surfaces and interfaces down to atomic dimensions.

Recommended reading:

The Femtosecond Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM) will allow fundamental investigations of pulse multiwave mixing in Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOA) and will, in particular, allow attention will be given to enhancements of multiwave mixing efficiency arising due to pump/probe detuning. The NSOM will also allow simultaneous observation of spatial and dynamical behavior in, for example, VCSELs undergoing optical switching of polarization and transverse modes and hence enable a clear demonstration of the mechanism underpinning the observed switching. The facility will also be used toexamine spatio-temporal effects arising in external cavity VCSELs and multitransverse modes in VCSELs subject to optical injection where rich dynamical behavior is known to arise. These observations will significantly enhance understanding of the processes occurring in such VCSEL configurations and will thus provide crucial information for their application in sensor and monitoring functions. (pdf)

Femtosecond lasers recommended for use with NSOM

Ti:Sapphire lasers
Trestles femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser
Trestles Finesse femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser with integrated DPSS pump laser
Teahupoo Rider femtosecond amplified Ti:Sapphire laser

Cr:Forsterite lasers
Mavericks femtosecond Cr:Forsterite laser

Er-based lasers
Tamarack femtosecond fiber laser (Er-doped fiber)
Buccaneer femtosecond OA fiber laser (Er-doped fiber) and SHG
Cannon Ultra-broadband light source

Yb-based lasers
Tourmaline femtosecond Yt-doped fiber laser
Tourmaline Yb-SS400 Ytterbium-doped Femtosecond Solid-State Laser
Tourmaline Yb-ULRepRate-07 Yb-based high-energy fiber laser system kit

Cr:ZnSe lasers
Chata femtosecond Cr:ZnSe laser (2.5 micron) coming soon