Near-field optical spectroscopy, nano-lithography, nano-inspection

Prof. Lukas Novotny
The general interest of the nano-optics group is in light-matter interactions on the subwavelength scale. The activities are motivated by the current trend in nano-science and nano-technology. Nano-optics addresses the broad spectrum of optics on the nanometer scale covering technology and basic science. On the technological side, we find topics like nanolithography and high density optical data storage. On the basic sciences end, we might mention atom-photon interactions in the optical near-field and their potential applications for atom trapping and manipulation experiments.
Scanning near-field optical microscopy allow surfaces to be imaged with nanometric spatial resolution. Prof. Novotny's group has developed a tip-enhanced Raman scattering microscope for the chemically specific imaging of surfaces. This technique is being applied for the study of carbon nanotubes, stress analysis in semiconductors, and membrane proteins. The group is also working on a scheme for nano-lithography and nano-inspection of semiconductor materials. If near-field optics permits the interaction of light and matter with a resolution of nanometers, then manipulation of matter on the nanometer scale should be possible.