ADVASPEC - Advanced infrared near- and far-field imaging and spectroscopy tools

The development of novel materials and photonic devices requires ultrahigh-resolution microscopy for characterization and mapping of local material properties and of nanoscale confined light fields. Conventional far-field infrared microscopy and spectroscopy cannot be applied for this task due to its diffraction limited spatial resolution. Scattering-type near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and nanoscale Fourier transform infrared (nano-FTIR) spectroscopy we pioneered during the past years - can overcome this drawback as they allow for amplitude-and-phase-resolved infrared imaging and spectroscopy of material properties and infrared field distributions with nanoscale spatial resolution, independent of the wavelength. Within this project we want to continue our successful development of the s-SNOM and nano-FTIR technologies in order to establish a platform technique for fundamental and applied research in widely different fields, ranging from solid-state physics to bioimaging.

In parallel, s-SNOM and nano-FTIR spectroscopy will be applied for studying the near-field distribution of advanced infrared antenna structures based on metals, graphene and other 2D materials such as boron nitride. We aim on fundamental understanding of the resonating modes and their resulting field concentration, which are essential for future applications such as field-enhanced infrared sensing and spectroscopy. Based on these studies we want to establish a solid basis for the development of novel infrared sensors and spectroscopy tools. First spectroscopy applications in the field of molecular vibrational spectroscopy shall be demonstrated. The project is thus divided into the following two main objectives:

1. Advanced s-SNOM and nano-FTIR instrumentation
We want to continue our efforts on improving the sensitivity and resolution of infrared s-SNOM and nano-FTIR by developing novel, antenna-based near-field probes, aiming on a spatial resolution in the sub-10 nm range. Additionally, we want to add novel functionalities such as hyperspectral infrared nanoimaging based on nano-FTIR spectroscopy and rapid multi-frequency infrared nanoimaging based on the synthetic optical holography technology we recently invented. This will enable a variety of novel applications of s-SNOM and nano- FTIR spectroscopy in widely different fields, ranging from solid-state physics to bioimaging.

2) Study and development of advanced infrared antennas for spectroscopy applications
s-SNOM and nano-FTIR spectroscopy will be applied for studying the infrared field confinement and transport of plasmon and phonon polaritons in resonator and waveguide structures made of metals and graphene, respectively boron nitride. With these studies we want to establish a solid basis for the development of novel nanoscale infrared antennas, which could have interesting application potential for the development of ultra-compact infrared sensors, spectroscopy techniques and photodetectors. Among others, we want to demonstrate field-enhanced infrared spectroscopy of molecules adsorbed on advanced metal antennas and graphene plasmonic resonators.

This project is funded by MAT2015-65525-R/MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033/ y por FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa