Open AccessMethods for Molecular Nanoanalysis
Author(s) -
Thomas Schmid,
Thomas Schmitz,
Patrick D. Setz,
Boon Siang Yeo,
Weihua Zhang,
Renato Zenobi
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.387
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.2006.783
Subject(s) - near field scanning optical microscope , materials science , optics , raman spectroscopy , resolution (logic) , mass spectrometry , optical microscope , microscopy , aperture (computer memory) , chemical imaging , nanoscopic scale , laser , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , scanning electron microscope , chemistry , remote sensing , physics , chromatography , artificial intelligence , computer science , acoustics , hyperspectral imaging , geology , composite material
This contribution reviews methods based on scanning probe microscopy for molecular analysis and identification on a length scale of 20–200 nm. Aperture scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) was initially developed in our group for chemical analysis and imaging using fluorescence and Raman spectroscopies, with a resolution beyond the optical diffraction limit. In recent years, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy was developed into an analytical tool capable of a spatial resolution less than 50 nm and, using the 'gap' mode of operation, the promise for single molecule sensitivity and even higher spatial resolution. Aperture SNOM with pulsed laser irradiation can be used for nanoscale laser ablation. With an interface to a very sensitive mass spectrometer, this provides a platform for nanoscale mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure sampling. The preparation of fiber tips for aperture SNOM as well as metallized a FM tips and etched metal wires for aperture less SNOM applications is reviewed. Finally, applications for the chemical analysis of thin molecular films and of biological samples are presented.