Advancing Nanoscale Characterization with s-SNOM and Nano-FTIR for Plasmonics, Nanophotonics and Metasurfaces

Employment of scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and nanoscale Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (nano-FTIR) provides significant benefits for the study of plasmonics, nanophotonics, and metasurfaces. These advanced optical methods enable high-resolution imaging and precise characterization at the nanoscale, crucial for various applications.<br/>s-SNOM excels in mapping plasmonic fields with high spatial resolution, essential for developing highly sensitive biochemical sensors and improving photonic device designs. It allows researchers to visualize optical near-field distributions in plasmonic and photonic structures, which is critical for optimizing high-performance sensors, enhancing photodetectors, and increasing the efficiency of energy harvesting devices.<br/>nano-FTIR offers unparalleled sensitivity for investigating the local absorption properties and chemical compositions of nanoscale photonic materials. This capability is particularly beneficial for studying carrier dynamics and energy transfer processes in plasmonic nanostructures, leading to more efficient solar cells and photodetectors. nano-FTIR also facilitates the examination of molecular interactions and chemical compositions, which is essential for the development of advanced energy harvesting and sensing technologies.<br/>Together, s-SNOM and nano-FTIR provide detailed insights into the optical, electronic, and chemical properties of nanophotonic and plasmonic materials. These techniques enable the exploration of ultrafast dynamics in plasmonic nanosystems, providing crucial information on light-matter interactions at femtosecond timescales, important for developing next-generation ultrafast photonic devices. Additionally, they support the study of vibrational and electronic properties of 2D materials and metamaterials, aiding in the advancement of quantum photonic applications.<br/>By offering high-resolution, nanoscale imaging and spectroscopy, s-SNOM and nano-FTIR drive innovation and enhance our understanding of plasmonic, nanophotonic, and metasurface materials and devices, enabling new applications across scientific and technological fields.<br/><br/>In this talk, I will explain the basics of the technology and highlight some recent examples of appications in fields of plasmonics, photonics and metasurfaces.