阅读说明：本技术 用于基于光热效应的红外扫描近场光学显微镜的方法与装置 (Method and device for infrared scanning near-field optical microscope based on photothermal effect ) 是由 杨红华 克雷格·普拉特 于 2018-03-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种用于测量样本的子微米区域的红外吸收的系统和方法。红外光源可以照射位于与扫描探针显微镜(SPM)的针尖相互作用的区域中的样本,以产生与样本区域的红外吸收有关的光学性质的可测量变化的方式对样本进行刺激。探测光源指向样本和SPM针尖的区域,并且,从针尖和样本区域发出的探测光得到收集。所收集的光可用于导出样本区域的红外吸收光谱信息,可以是子微米尺度上的样本区域的红外吸收光谱信息。(A system and method for measuring infrared absorption of a sub-micron region of a sample. An infrared light source may illuminate a sample located in a region of interaction with a tip of a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) to stimulate the sample in a manner that produces a measurable change in an optical property related to infrared absorption by the sample region. The probe light source is directed at the sample and the region of the SPM tip and the probe light emanating from the tip and the sample region is collected. The collected light can be used to derive infrared absorption spectral information for the sample region, which can be at a sub-micron scale.)

1. A method of measuring an infrared absorption spectrum of a sample region, the method comprising:

a. interacting a tip of a scanning probe microscope with the sample region;

b. illuminating the sample region with an infrared beam from an infrared light source;

c. Illuminating the sample region and needle tip with probe light from a narrow-band light source;

d. Collecting the probe light, wherein the collected probe light is reflected and emanated from the sample region; and

e. Analyzing the collected probe light to construct a signal indicative of an infrared absorption spectrum of the sample region.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein,

The bandwidth of the narrow-band light source is less than 8cm^-1。

3. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the infrared light source includes a tunable infrared laser.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the infrared light source is a broadband source comprising a carbon silicon rod or a femtosecond laser.

5. the method of claim 4, comprising:

A spectrum is constructed from the broadband source using a fast fourier transform.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein,

The infrared absorption spectrum is measured with a spatial resolution of less than 10 nm.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein,

The infrared beam illuminates the sample at an oblique angle from above the sample.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein,

At frequency f_IRModulating the infrared beam, and wherein the analyzing step comprises at a frequency n f_IRDemodulating an amplitude of the collected probe light, where n is an integer.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein,

The interacting step comprises at the resonance frequency f of said probe_Othe needle tip is oscillated.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein,

At frequency n f_ODemodulating the collected probe light, wherein n is an integer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein,

At least a portion of the collected probe light is sent to a raman spectrometer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein,

The probe light collected by the raman spectrometer is used to perform a tip enhanced raman spectrum in the same sample area as the infrared absorption spectrum.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein,

The center wavelength of the narrowband light source is substantially equal to one of: 244nm, 257nm, 325nm, 364nm, 457nm, 473nm, 488nm, 514nm, 532nm, 633nm, 660nm, 785nm, 830nm, 980nm, and 1064 nm.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein,

The demodulation step is performed at a plurality of integer values of n.

15. A system for measuring infrared absorption of a sample region, the system comprising:

A Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) having a probe tip; an infrared light source; a narrow-band detection light source; a detection light collector; and at least one computing device comprising control, data acquisition and data analysis elements, the system configured to:

a. Interacting the needle tip with the sample region;

b. Illuminating the sample region with an infrared beam from the infrared light source;

c. Illuminating the sample region and needle tip with a narrow band probe beam;

d. Collecting detection light from the sample region with a detection light detector; and

e. Analyzing the collected probe light to construct a signal indicative of an infrared absorption spectrum of the sample region.

16. the apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

A modulator and a demodulator, further configured to:

a) Modulating the intensity of the infrared radiation;

b) Demodulating the collected probe light to determine an amplitude of the collected probe light, wherein the amplitude of the collected probe light is used to construct an infrared absorption spectrum of the sub-micron region of the sample.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein,

The infrared light source includes a tunable infrared laser.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein,

The infrared radiation source comprises a quantum cascade laser.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein,

The detection light source is selected from the group consisting of a visible light laser, a near infrared laser, a mid-infrared laser, and an ultraviolet laser.

20. the apparatus of claim 15, wherein,

The infrared light source comprises a broadband source comprising a carbon silicon rod or a femtosecond laser.

Background

The present description relates to Scanning Near Field Optical Microscopy (SNOM), and more particularly to Infrared (IR) Scanning Near Field Optical Microscopy for obtaining information indicative of Optical properties of a surface and/or material composition directly related to the infrared absorption spectrum.

s-SNOM, particularly that performed in IR, is a useful technique for measuring and mapping optical properties/material compositions of some surfaces with near-nanoscale resolution. Various aspects of this technology are described in co-inventors' U.S. applications 13/835,312, 14/322,768, 14/634,859, 14/957,480, and 15/249,433. These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. AFM-IR is a useful technique for measuring and mapping optical properties/material compositions of some surfaces with near-nanometer resolution. Various aspects of this technology are described in U.S. patents 8869602, 8680457, 8402819, 8001830, 9134341, 8646319, 8242448, and U.S. patent applications 13/135,956 and 15/348,848, all of the co-inventors of the present application. These applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Disclosure of Invention

systems and methods for measuring infrared absorption of a sub-micron region of a sample may be provided. An infrared light source may illuminate a sample located in a region of interaction with a tip of a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) to stimulate the sample in a manner that produces a measurable change in an optical property related to infrared absorption by the sample region. A probe light source is directed at the sample and the region of the SPM tip, and probe light emanating from the sample region near the SPM tip is collected. The collected light can be used to derive infrared absorption spectral information for the sample region, which can be at a sub-micron scale.

In a first aspect, a method for measuring an infrared absorption spectrum of a sample region may be provided, which may comprise the steps of: interacting a tip of a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM) with a sample region; illuminating the sample area with an infrared beam from an infrared light source; illuminating the sample region and the SPM tip with probe light from a narrow band light source; collecting probe light emanating from the sample region; the collected probe light is analyzed to construct a signal indicative of the infrared absorption spectrum of the sample region.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the narrowband optical source is characterized by an optical bandwidth, and wherein the optical characteristic of the sample remains substantially constant within the bandwidth of the narrowband optical source. In another embodiment of the first aspect, the bandwidth of the narrow-band light source may be less than 8cm^-1. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the center wavelength of the narrow band light source may be less than 2 microns.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the infrared light source comprises a tunable infrared laser. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises the step of repeating the above steps at a plurality of central wavelengths of the infrared light source. In another embodiment of the first aspect, the infrared light source may comprise a silicon carbide rod (globar) or a femtosecond laser. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises the step of constructing the spectrum from a broadband source using a fast fourier transform.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the dispersion contribution from the real refractive index of the sample region can be suppressed. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the infrared absorption spectrum may be measured with a spatial resolution of less than 1 micron. In another embodiment of the first aspect, the infrared absorption spectrum may be measured with a spatial resolution of less than 100 nm. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the infrared absorption spectrum may be measured with a spatial resolution of less than 10 nm.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the infrared beam may illuminate the sample at an oblique angle (oblique angle) from above the sample. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the infrared radiation may illuminate the sample by total internal reflection. In another embodiment of the first aspect, may be at the frequency f_IRModulating the infrared beam, and wherein the analyzing step may comprise analyzing at a frequency n x f_IRDemodulating an amplitude of the collected probe light, where n is an integer. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the modulation frequency f_IRCan exceed I kHz.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the infrared absorption spectrum may be calculated using amplitudes of probe light collected when the SPM probe is in contact with the sample surface and not in contact with the sample surface. In an embodiment of the first aspect, the interacting step may comprise at a resonance frequency f of the SPM probe_OThe SPM probe is oscillated. In another embodiment of the first aspect, at a frequency n × f_ODemodulating the collected probe light, wherein n is an integer.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, at least a portion of the collected probe light may be sent to a raman spectrometer. In another embodiment of the first aspect, the probe light collected by the raman spectrometer can be used for tip enhanced raman spectroscopy in the same sample region as the infrared absorption spectrum.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the center wavelength of the narrow-band light source is substantially equal to one of: 244nm, 257nm, 325nm, 364nm, 457nm, 473nm, 488nm, 514nm, 532nm, 633nm, 660nm, 785nm, 830nm, 980nm, and 1064 nm. In another embodiment of the first aspect, the intensity of the collected probe light may vary due to a change in reflectivity of the sample region as the sample region absorbs infrared light.

in an embodiment of the first aspect, at least a portion of the collected probe light may be filtered by at least one fluorescence filter and the filtered light is analyzed to determine the fluorescence response of the sample. In a further embodiment of the first aspect, the demodulating step may be performed at a plurality of integer values of n. In an embodiment of the first aspect, demodulation at a plurality of integer values of n is used to construct a depth-resolved tomographic (tomographic) measurement of the sample.

In a second aspect, a system for measuring infrared absorption of a sample region may be provided, comprising an SPM having a probe tip, an infrared light source, a narrowband probe light source, a probe light collector, and at least one computing device comprising control, data acquisition, and data analysis elements, the system for: interacting the tip of the SPM with the sample region; illuminating the sample area with an infrared beam from an infrared light source; illuminating the sample region and the SPM tip with a narrow band probe beam; collecting detection light from the sample region with a detection light detector; and analyzing the collected probe light to construct a signal indicative of the infrared absorption spectrum of the sample region.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the system may further include a modulator and a demodulator, further configured to: modulating the intensity of the infrared radiation; and demodulating the collected probe light to determine an amplitude of the collected probe light, wherein the amplitude of the collected probe light is used to construct an infrared absorption spectrum of the sub-micron region of the sample. In another embodiment of the second aspect, the infrared light source may comprise a tunable infrared laser. In an embodiment of the second aspect, the infrared radiation source may comprise a quantum cascade laser. In another embodiment of the second aspect, the detection light source may comprise at least one of: visible lasers, near-infrared lasers, mid-infrared lasers and ultraviolet lasers. In an embodiment of the second aspect, the infrared light source may comprise a broadband light source, and the infrared light source may comprise a silicon carbide rod (globar) or a femtosecond laser.

Drawings

Various aspects and advantages of the embodiments are described with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding relationships among the referenced elements. The drawings are intended to illustrate example embodiments described herein and not to limit the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A shows a simplified schematic of an exemplary embodiment.

Inset fig. 1B shows measurement of scattered probe light in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

fig. 2 is an alternative embodiment with a bottom-up transfer geometry.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of an aperture-based scanning near-field optical microscope.

Fig. 4 shows another alternative embodiment of an aperture-based scanning near-field optical microscope.

Fig. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of an aperture-based scanning near-field optical microscope.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment incorporating a broadband IR source.

Detailed Description

In some embodiments, systems and methods may be provided to suppress background scatter contributions to scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM) measurements. The SPM probe-sample region is illuminated by a light source. In some embodiments, the light source can be tuned to allow illumination at multiple selected wavelengths, one wavelength at a time. The measurements may be repeated at multiple illumination wavelengths and/or multiple sample locations.

Definition of

"Optical property" refers to an Optical property of a sample, including, but not limited to, refractive index (index of refraction), absorption coefficient, reflectivity, absorptivity, real and/or imaginary part of the refractive index, real and/or imaginary part of the dielectric function of the sample, and/or any property that can be mathematically derived from one or more of the above Optical properties.

"Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM)" refers to a microscope that measures one or more properties of a sample surface while scanning the surface after a sharp probe interacts with the sample surface. The scanning probe microscope may be an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) including a cantilever probe having a sharp tip. SPMs generally include capabilities for measuring the motion, position, and/or other response of a probe tip and/or an object (e.g., can be a cantilever or tuning fork or MEMS device) to which the probe tip is attached. The most common method involves the use of an optical lever system in which a cantilever probe bounces a laser beam to measure the deflection of the cantilever. Alternatives include self-sensing technologies such as piezoresistive cantilevers, tuning forks, capacitive sensors, and other technologies. Other detection systems may measure other properties, such as force, force gradient, resonant frequency, temperature, and/or other interactions with the surface, or responses to surface interactions. SPMs may also use an aperture-based probe for delivering light to and/or collecting light from a sample.

by "interacting the SPM probe tip with the sample region" is meant bringing the probe tip close enough to the surface of the sample to produce one or more near-field interactions, such as attraction and/or repulsion of tip-sample forces, and/or generation and/or amplification of radiation scattered from the sample region near the tip of the probe. The interaction may be a contact mode, an intermittent contact/tap mode, a non-contact mode, a shear mode, a pulsed force mode, and/or any lateral modulation mode. The interaction may be constant or, in some cases, periodic. The periodic interaction may be a sine wave or any arbitrary periodic waveform. Pulsed force patterns and/or fast force profile techniques may also be used to periodically bring the probe to a desired level of interaction with the sample and retract the probe after a hold period.

"Illuminating" refers to directing radiation at an object (e.g., a surface of a sample, a probe tip, and/or a region of probe-sample interaction). Illumination (Illumination) may include radiation in the infrared wavelength range, visible light range, and other wavelength ranges from ultraviolet to terahertz. The illumination may include any configuration of radiation sources, reflective elements, focusing elements, and any other beam steering or conditioning elements.

"Infrared light source" meansOne or more light sources that generate or emit radiation in the infrared wavelength range, which is generally in the mid-infrared between 2-25 microns. The infrared source may produce radiation over the entire range described above, or in many cases, may be a tuning range that is a subset of the range described above (e.g., 2.5-4 microns or 5-13 microns). The radiation source may be one of a variety of sources, including a heat or silicon carbide rod (Globar) light source, a supercontinuum laser source, a frequency comb (frequency comb), a difference frequency (difference frequency) generator, a sum frequency (sum frequency) generator, a harmonic generator, an Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO), an Optical Parametric Generator (OPG), a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL), nanosecond, picosecond, and femtosecond laser systems, a CO2 laser, a heated cantilever probe or other micro-heater, and/or any other source that generates a radiation beam. In some cases, the source emits infrared radiation, in other cases, radiation in other wavelength ranges, such as from ultraviolet to terahertz (THz), may be substituted or can also be emitted. The source may be narrow band, e.g. having a spectral width of less than 10cm^-1Or less than 1cm^-1Or may be broadband, e.g. having a spectral width of more than 10cm^-1、100cm^-1Or 500cm^-1。

"Probe light source" refers to a radiation source used to detect the response of a sample to incident light from an infrared light source. The radiation source may comprise, for example, a gas laser, a laser diode, a superluminescent light emitting diode (SLD), a near infrared laser, a UV and/or visible laser beam generated by a sum or difference frequency generator. It may also include any or other near infrared, UV and/or visible light sources that may be focused to a spot of less than 2.5 microns, or even less than 1 micron, and possibly less than 0.5 microns. In some embodiments, the detection light source may operate at a wavelength outside the tuning or emission range of the infrared light source, but the detection light source may also be a fixed wavelength source at a selected wavelength that substantially overlaps the tuning range of the infrared light source. The "probe beam" is a beam originally emitted from a probe light source. In some embodiments, the probe light source is a "narrowband light source," as will be described below.

by "Collecting probe light" is meant Collecting radiation from a probe beam interacting with the sample. The probe light may be collected after reflection, scattering, transmission, evanescent coupling, and/or transmission by the aperture probe.

the Signal of indication (Signal of) is a Signal that is mathematically related to a property of interest (property). The signal may be an analog signal, a digital signal, and/or one or more digits stored in a computer or other electronic device. The signal may be a voltage, a current, or any other signal that is easily converted and recorded. The signal may be mathematically the same as the property being measured (e.g. explicitly indicating an absolute phase signal or an absorption coefficient). It may also be a signal that is mathematically related to one or more useful properties, including for example linear or other scaling, offsetting, inverting or more complex mathematical operations.

"Spectrum" refers to measuring one or more properties of a sample as a function of wavelength, or equivalently (and more commonly) as a function of wavenumber.

"infrared absorption spectrum" refers to a spectrum proportional to a wavelength dependent on a similar indication of the infrared absorption coefficient, absorbance, or infrared absorption characteristic of a sample. One example of an infrared absorption spectrum is an absorption measurement produced by a fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), i.e., an FTIR absorption spectrum. (Note that the IR absorption spectrum can also be easily derived from the transmission spectrum.)

"Dispersive contributions" refers to any contribution of the signal due to the real part of the refractive index, or more generally, an effect that is not solely due to the absorption properties of the sample.

"Real index of refraction" refers to the Real part of the refractive index of a material.

"modulation," when referring to radiation incident on a sample, refers to periodically varying the infrared laser intensity at one location. The beam intensity can be modulated by mechanically chopping the beam, controlled laser pulses, and/or deflecting the laser beam, such as tilting an electrostatically, electromagnetically driven mirror by a piezoelectric actuator or other means of tilting or deforming the mirror. Modulation may also be achieved by diffractive effects, such as by a diffractive MEMS-based modulator or by a high-speed shutter, attenuator, or other mechanism that changes the intensity, angle, and/or phase of the laser intensity incident on the sample.

"demodulation" refers to the extraction of an information-bearing signal, usually but not necessarily having a particular frequency, from an overall signal. For example, in the present application, the collected detection light collected at the photodetector represents the overall signal. The demodulation process picks out the portion of the infrared disturbance that is absorbed by the sample. Demodulation may be accomplished by a lock-in amplifier, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), computation of discrete fourier components at the desired frequency, resonant amplifier, narrow band pass filter, or any other technique that suppresses background and noise signals that are not synchronized with the modulation while greatly enhancing the useful signal. "demodulator" refers to a device or system that performs demodulation.

"Aperture-based probe" or "aperture probe" refers to a scanning probe microscope probe fabricated with an aperture such that light is transmitted and/or collected through the aperture. The aperture-based probe may be a cantilever probe, or other type of probe body, and/or a tapered fiber probe. The probes are also made of metal and polymer materials and etched into MEMS structures. An SPM probe tip having a hole passing through the probe body and the tip may also be used as the aperture probe. In general, the probe requires only means to direct light through the sub-wavelength aperture, and a sharp tip that can interact with the sample and support some mechanism to detect the interaction, for example, by bending of the cantilever probe, or changes in resistance, resonant frequency, or other properties indicative of the interaction between the probe time and the sample.

"SPM controller" refers to a system that facilitates data acquisition and control of an AFM-IR system. The controller may be a single integrated electronics housing (encloser) or may comprise a plurality of distributed elements. The control element may control the positioning and/or scanning of the probe tip and/or the sample. Data regarding probe deflection, motion, or other response may also be collected, providing control of radiation source power, polarization, steering, focusing, and/or other functions. Control elements, etc. may include computer program methods or digital logic methods and may be implemented using any combination of various computing devices (computers, personal electronic devices), analog and/or digital discrete circuit components (transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, etc.), programmable logic, microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits, or other circuit elements. The memory is used to store computer programs and may be executed with discrete circuit components to implement one or more processes described herein.

a "lock-in amplifier" is an example of a "demodulator" (defined above) that is a device, system, and/or algorithm that demodulates the system response at multiple reference frequencies. The lock-in amplifier may be an electronic assembly that includes analog electronics, digital electronics, and a combination of the two. They may also be computational algorithms implemented on digital electronic devices such as microprocessors, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors, and personal computers. The lock-in amplifier may generate signals indicative of various metrics of the oscillating system, including amplitude, phase (X) and quadrature (Y) components, or any combination of the above. The lock-in amplifier herein may also generate the above-mentioned measurements at the reference frequency, higher harmonics of the reference frequency, and/or sideband frequencies of the reference frequency.

A "detector" in the context of a probe beam refers to an optical detector that produces a signal indicative of the amount of light incident on the detector. The detector may be any of a variety of optical detectors including, but not limited to, silicon PIN photodiodes, gallium phosphide photodetectors, other semiconductor detectors, avalanche photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes, and/or other detector technologies that produce a signal indicative of the amount of light incident on the detector surface. The detector may also be a fluorometer and/or a raman spectrometer. By "narrow band Light source" is meant a Light source having a narrow bandwidth or linewidth, e.g., a linewidth of less than 8cm^-1but in general it may have a linewidth that is sufficiently narrow that the linewidth does not cover the useful spectral range of the sampleAnd (5) enclosing.

The object of the present invention is to obtain a measurement of the infrared optical properties of a material on a length scale well below the diffraction limit of the infrared wavelength used and in fact down to the nanometer scale. The current method also allows direct measurement of the infrared absorption spectrum of samples with nanoscale resolution while avoiding the dispersion artifacts that inhibit other SNOM techniques. This is achieved by arranging a near field detection system in which the scattered detection light signal collected at a wavelength different from that of the IR light is proportional to the temperature rise of the sample, which depends on the amount of IR light absorbed by the sample in the vicinity of the SPM probe tip.

FIG. 1A shows a simplified schematic of an illustrative embodiment. The infrared light source 100 emits an infrared light beam 102 towards a beam combiner 104. At frequency f_IRThe infrared beam is modulated. The beam combiner 104 reflects a probe beam 108 (e.g., visible laser light) emitted from a probe light source 106. The beam combiner 104 may be a dichroic mirror that transmits the infrared light beam 102 while reflecting visible light, but may also reflect the infrared light beam and transmit visible light, or combine any of the wavelengths used. The combined beam 114 passing through the beam combiner 104 continues toward focusing optics 116, which focusing optics 116 focus the beam onto a sample 120 near a tip 122 of a probe 118 of a Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM). The scattered probe light 124 (i.e., light emanating from the region) may be collected by the same focusing optics 116 (or by some other optics) and then directed to quarter-wave plate 112 such that the polarization is rotated 90 degrees relative to the incident light beam. Polarization beam splitter 110 then separates polarization-rotated beam 126 from the incident beam and directs it to detector 128. The signal output from detector 130 is analyzed by demodulator 132, and demodulator 132 may be a lock-in amplifier. Demodulator 132 modulates the frequency f at the IR light_IR134 or at f_IRHarmonic of (i.e., m × f)_IRM is an integer) is demodulated. In one embodiment, filter 127 may separate and direct portions of beam 126 to fluorescence or raman spectrometer 131 for collecting fluorescence or raman signals of the sample. A fluorescence or raman filter 129 may be used to filter out the beam of probe light wavelengths.

inset fig. 1B shows an enlarged view of the probe and sample region. The incident infrared beam 114 (a component of the combined beam 114 in fig. 1) is incident on the sample 120 near the SPM probe tip 122. Any absorption of IR light from the IR beam 114 by the sample results in a local temperature rise Δ T that is approximately proportional to the amount of light absorbed. Temperature changes in the heating zone 154 cause changes in the refractive index from n to n' ═ n + Δ n (and thermal expansion of the sample). The amplitude of the scattered probe beam 124 depends on the reflectivity of the sample region 154 (and the characteristics of the SPM probe 118). The reflectivity of the sample region varies with changes in the temperature and refractive index of the sample region 154. Therefore, the amplitude of the scattered probe light 124 is disturbed by the refractive index change Δ n due to the IR absorption by the sample region 154. Thus, changes in the amplitude of the scattered probe light can be used to construct a signal proportional to the infrared absorption characteristics of the sample.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, in one embodiment, at least at one frequency f_IRThe IR laser 100 is modulated to create a periodic fluctuation in the temperature of the sample 120 due to the absorption of IR radiation by the sample. As described above, this may result in fluctuations in the amount of probe light scattered from sample 124 and fluctuations in the intensity of light 126 detected by detector 128. In one embodiment, the signal generated by detector 128 is sent to demodulator 130, and demodulator 130 is at a modulation frequency f associated with the IR laser beam_IRThe associated frequency demodulates the amplitude of the light collected by detector 130. Can be directly at f_IRPerforms demodulation, and may also be at f_IRHarmonic of (i.e., m × f)_IRwhere m is an integer) for demodulation. Demodulation may also be performed at sideband frequencies that combine the frequency of the IR laser modulation with the frequency of the secondary modulation, e.g. SPM tip at frequency f_OIs oscillating.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, infrared light source 100 may be any of a variety of IR light sources as described in the definition of "Infrared light Source". In one embodiment, it is a pulsed infrared laser (e.g., a narrow band tunable laser). In one embodiment, the IR light source is a pulsed Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL). Alternatively, it may be a CW infrared laser with an integrated or external modulator. The beam combiner 102 may be an optical component that passes IR light and reflects the probe beam, or conversely, reflects IR light and transmits visible light (in which case the directions of the IR, probe and beam combiners would be appropriately adjusted). The focusing optics 116 may be a single optical element (e.g., a lens or parabolic mirror) or may be a system of optical components including any number of lenses and/or mirrors, diffractive components, etc., to deliver focused IR and visible light beams to the sample 120 near the SPM probe tip 122.

By using the polarizing beam splitter 110 and the quarter wave plate 112, the input and output probe beams can be effectively separated based on polarization, but other schemes can be used. For example, a simple beam splitter may be used without a quarter wave plate. Alternatively, separate optical paths may be used to collect the forward scattered light or light from different solid angles of the focusing optics 116.

The detector 128 may be any of the various optical detectors described in the definitions section, depending on the wavelength and intensity of the detected light and the bandwidth required for the particular measurement.

The apparatus may also include additional filters, detectors and spectrometers to enable simultaneous or sequential raman spectroscopy and/or fluorescence measurements. In the above case, one or more optional fluorescence and/or raman filters 129 may be installed to substantially block light of the center wavelength of the probe light source and pass light of a wavelength offset from the probe wavelength. The method allows for the detection of inelastically scattered light, including but not limited to raman light and fluorescence shift light. Additional optional detectors may be used to detect and/or spectrally analyze the wavelength-shifted light. In particular, the raman spectrometer may be used to measure a raman spectrum of light emitted from the tip-sample region as a result of excitation by the probe beam.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of an exemplary method. In step 60, the IR light source is tuned to the desired wavelength. In step 61, at a frequency f_IRThe IR light source is pulsed. It should be noted that this can be achieved by an internal pulse controller or an external chopper. In step 62, at frequency f_OThe oscillating SPM probe, in some embodiments,f₀may be 0 Hz. In step 63, the SPM probe tip is placed on the sample. It should be noted that this can be achieved by moving the tip or the sample or both. Then, in step 64, a sample region near the SPM probe tip is illuminated with IR light and probe light. In step 65, scattered probe light from the sample is collected, and then in step 66, at a frequency of m f_IR+n×f_IRthe collected probe light is demodulated to construct a signal, where m and n are integers. The measurement may be repeated at any number of different positions (step 67) and/or wavelengths (step 68) of the sample.

Fig. 7 shows a modified embodiment of fig. 1A, in which the IR light source is a broadband light source. The broadband infrared light source 700 emits an infrared light beam 702 toward an IR beam splitter 704. Part of the light beam 706 is reflected to a static mirror 708. The partial beam 710 is transmitted to a moving mirror 712 attached to a translation stage 714. The recombined beam 716, which passes through the IR splitter 704, is directed to a beam combiner 718. The IR beam splitter 704, the static mirror 708, and the moving mirror 712 form an interferometer for broadband spectral detection. A probe light beam 722 (e.g., visible laser light) emitted by probe light source 720 is reflected by beam combiner 718. The beam combiner 718 may be a dichroic mirror that transmits the infrared beam 716 while reflecting visible light, but may also reflect the infrared beam and transmit visible light, or combine any of the wavelengths used. The combined beam 728 passing through the beam combiner 718 continues toward the focusing optics 730, and the focusing optics 730 focus the beam onto the sample 734 near the tip 736 of the probe 732 for the SPM. The scattered probe light 738 (i.e., light emanating from this region) may be collected by the same focusing optics 730 (or by some other optics) and then directed to the quarter wave plate 726 such that the polarization is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the incident beam. Polarization beam splitter 724 then separates polarization-rotated beam 740 from the incident beam and directs it to detector 742. The signal output from detector 744 is analyzed by demodulator 746, which may be a lock-in amplifier. Demodulator 746 at the IR light modulation frequency f_IR748 demodulation, or at f_IRHarmonic of (i.e., m × f)_IRM is an integer) is demodulated.

different configurations or orientations of incident and scattered light may be achieved. For example, incident light may be focused from the top side of the sample, and scattered light may be collected from the opposite side of the sample. Alternatively, light is incident from the bottom and scattered light is collected at the top. Any combination of orientations of incident and scattered light may be used, some of which are listed in fig. 2-5.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment with a bottom-up transfer geometry. The infrared light source 200 emits an infrared light beam 202 towards a beam combiner 204. A probe light beam 208 emitted from the probe light source 206 is reflected by the beam combiner 204. The combined beam 210 passing through the beam combiner 204 is directed by some optics 212 to an objective lens 214 for focusing. Dark field objective (dark field object) can be used to reduce the directly illuminated probe beam to improve modulation and thus signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). The focused beam 216 illuminates a sample 218 near the tip 222 of a probe 220 of a probe microscope. Scattered or emitted probe light 224 is collected and detected by detector 228. The principle of extracting the infrared absorption characteristics of the sample by analyzing the scattered probe beam is the same as that of fig. 1B.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of an aperture-based scanning near-field optical microscope. Infrared light source 300 emits infrared light beam 302 toward beam combiner 304. Beam combiner 304 reflects a probe beam 308 emitted from probe light source 306. The combined beam 310 passing through the beam combiner 304 continues toward focusing optics 312, which focusing optics 312 focus the beam onto a sample 314 near the tip of a probe 316 of an aperture probe microscope 318. The aperture of the probe collects scattered probe light and may be transmitted through an optical fiber or other optics 320 to a detector 322. The signal transmission from the aperture to the detector can also be done in free space.

Fig. 4 shows another alternative embodiment of an aperture-based scanning near-field optical microscope. The infrared light source 400 emits an infrared light beam 402 towards a beam combiner 404. The beam combiner 404 reflects the probe beam 408 emitted from the probe light source 406. The combined beam 410 passing through the beam combiner 404 is directed by some optics 412 to an objective lens 414 for focusing. The focused beam 416 illuminates a sample 418 near the tip of a probe 420 of an aperture probe microscope 422. The aperture of the probe collects scattered probe light and may be transmitted through optical fibers and/or other optics 424 to a detector 426. The signal transmission from the aperture to the detector can also be done in free space.

Fig. 5 shows another alternative embodiment of an aperture-based scanning near-field optical microscope. The infrared light source 500 emits an infrared light beam 502 towards focusing optics 504. The focused infrared beam 506 is focused onto a sample 508. A probe light beam 512 emitted from a probe light source 510 is directed by some optics 514 to an aperture-based scanning near-field optical microscope 516. The probe beam 520 passing through the aperture 518 illuminates the same region as the region in which the infrared beam 506 is focused. Probe light 522 passing through the sample is collected by objective lens 524. The collected probe light is then directed by some optics 526 to a detector 528.

In this section we describe in more detail the basic principles of the detection mechanism employed in certain embodiments. It should be noted that this explanation is only illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the claims. More elaborate analysis may be applied to have higher accuracy, but the current discussion is only for one model describing the mechanism of the detection scheme. One possible mechanism for measurable IR absorption related optical properties is the change in refractive index due to local heating, which is a time varying photothermal effect. The local temperature change caused by the infrared illumination results in a refractive index change at the probe light wavelength. The local inhomogeneity of the refractive index causes a change in amplitude with respect to the scattering of the probe light. The amplitude variation of the scattered probe light can be analyzed to construct an infrared absorption spectrum. The process formula is as follows:

Equation 1

Having an absorption cross section [ sigma ], a number density [ N ], a thermal conductivity [ k ], and a heat capacity [ C ]_PRefractive index n at the probe wavelength, temperature T, probe optical power P_prPower P of infrared light_IR. As an exemplary illustration of achievable signal levels, for visible light wavesTemperature-dependent change in the refractive index of PMMA, polycarbonate and water over a long rangeAbout 10^-4K (see Cariou et al, Applied Optics volume 25, third generation, 1986). However, such index change levels can be easily detected using modulation and demodulation techniques. Some embodiments disclosed herein can achieve spatial resolution much less than the diffraction limit of an infrared light source and the same spatial resolution as the SNOM technique discussed in the reference. The improvement in resolution results from a local enhancement of the incident radiation field due to the sharp SPM tip. The enhanced radiation field interacts with the sample and then scatters the radiation into the far field. This near field enhancement increases the amount of radiation scattered from the tip-sample region, making it easier to detect the scattered radiation.

In contrast to conventional SNOM technologies based on direct detection of infrared light, the present disclosure is based on detection of probe light rather than detection of IR light. By detecting under probe light, non-local background scattering from infrared light is suppressed, making some disclosed embodiments insensitive to dispersion contributions of scattered light in the mid-infrared.

After IR illumination to the ambient, spatial resolution may be limited by thermal diffusion of the heated region. Fast modulation speed f_IRHelping to minimize heat diffusion.

In one embodiment, the probe light wavelength may be selected in a transparent region of the sample such that sample absorption is negligible. Thereby, the detection beam intensity can be increased to reduce photon noise. The infrared light and the probe beam can be confocal to the same point for overlap, thereby improving efficiency.

Different modulation and demodulation schemes may be employed to extract the signal from the collected probe light. In one embodiment, it may be at frequency f_IRModulating an infrared laser, wherein f_IRis the frequency f of mechanical oscillation of the SPM probe_OTwice as much to synchronize the infrared beam with the mechanical oscillation of the SPM probe. By adjusting the timing of the incident light to the oscillation of the SPM probe so that when the tip is on the sample, oneone IR pulse strikes the sample and the next IR pulse strikes the sample as the tip leaves the sample. The probe light collected in these two cases is different due to temperature and local sample refractive index changes with and without IR. The probe light signal as the tip leaves the surface is subtracted from the probe light signal as the tip is on the surface to obtain a final signal proportional to the local infrared absorption characteristics.

In another embodiment, f may also be selected_IRAs f_Oharmonic of (i.e., m × f)₀And m is an integer). When m is>2, multiple IR pulses hit the sample at different points in time within one SPM probe oscillation period. By analyzing the collected probe light amplitude with respect to the tip-sample distance dependence, the final signal can be extracted. f. of_IRIs other than f_OMore complex sampling methods of multiples of (a) have been demonstrated.

It is also possible to modulate the IR laser at a frequency f_IRPerforming demodulation at sideband frequencies combined with secondary modulation frequency, e.g. at frequency f_OThe SPM tip is oscillated. At frequency n x f_o+m×f_IRThe probe light collected in this case is demodulated, where n and m are integers.

The infrared light source may be pulsed or modulated. For example, the controller may generate a trigger or synchronization pulse that commands the light source to pulse at a specified rate. Alternatively, the light source may pulse based on internal timing and send a synchronization pulse back to the controller. Alternatively, the light source may have an external modulator that periodically adjusts its intensity. In one embodiment, the light source is modulated or pulsed at a frequency in excess of 10kHz, 100kHz, or 1 MHz. Modulating the infrared light at high frequencies reduces the effective thermal diffusion length, preventing damage to the spatial resolution of the present technique.

the detected probe light is then analyzed by a controller and/or external signal conditioning/demodulation electronics. In one embodiment, the detector signal is analyzed by a lock-in amplifier or equivalent means to generate a modulation frequency f at the laser source_IROr at its harmonic frequency n × f_IRThe amplitude of the probe light modulation is measured, where n is an integer. By using, for examplePhase sensitive detection of the lock-in amplifier can only measure the effect of infrared light absorbed by the sample and cause periodic deviations in the amplitude of the probe light caused by sample heating. By measuring the amplitude of the probe light modulation at a plurality of sample locations, an infrared response image of the sample can be made. In one aspect, this arrangement can measure the infrared properties of the sample on a scale below the diffraction limit of the infrared light source illuminating the sample. In contrast, the spatial resolution is limited only by the spatial resolution of the scanning near-field optical microscope.

In one embodiment, the tunable QCL may be used as an infrared light source. By rapidly scanning the wavelength of the output infrared light, an infrared spectrum can be obtained.

In the case of narrow band sources (e.g. spectral linewidths typically less than 10 cm)^-1And may be less than 1cm^-1) The spectrum can be generated directly by measuring the probe light modulation as a function of the emission wavelength (or equivalent wavenumber) of the infrared source. At a broadband source (line width typically less than 100 cm)^-1) In this case, it may be necessary to extract the wavelength dependence of the amplitude modulation of the probe light using a fourier transform technique and thereby extract the spectrum. In this case, the light from the IR source passes through an interferometer comprising a beam splitter, a fixed mirror and a moving mirror before the light is incident on the sample. The moving mirror in the interferometer can be scanned over a range of different positions while the amplitude modulation of the probe light is monitored as a signal to generate an interferogram. The interferogram may then be fourier transformed to obtain a spectrum.

a spatially resolved map may be created by keeping the focused IR, probe spot and SPM probe stationary and the sample may then be scanned relative to these focal points, for example using a sample scanner.

In one embodiment, the IR source may be a heat source, such as a carbon silicon rod (globar) conventionally used for Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and microscopy. Alternatively, a small area heat emitter, for example from Axetris or NovaIR corporation or other suppliers may be used. When using a thermal emitter, it is desirable to adjust the temperature or output IR power of the device. Some small area heat emitters on the market can be modulated to states up to 100 Hz. With a small effective area and a small thermal time constant, an SPM cantilever with an integral resistive heater can be modulated in the kHz range. Thermal emitters have been manufactured that can be modulated in the 10kHz range. Various external modulators may also be employed, such as photoelastic modulators, high-speed choppers, MEMS mirrors, piezoelectric deformable mirrors, and other modulators that can adjust the intensity, angle, and/or focused spot size of the infrared beam.

The detection light source of the narrow-band light source is generally selected. The reason for this is that at a given temperature, the optical properties of the sample are substantially constant over a narrow wavelength range. Under the theory of operation, current devices use a probe beam to sense the relative change in reflectivity of the sample region as it absorbs IR light from the IR light source. When an IR light source is made to have a large tuning range or broadband emission so that it can excite a sample at multiple wavelengths, the probing light source is generally made at a fixed wavelength where the optical properties are substantially constant. Then, as the sample heats up due to absorption of IR radiation, the local reflectivity at the probe wavelength can be monitored without fear of wavelength-dependent optical property changes over the probe light source bandwidth. By using a fixed wavelength beam with constant optical properties for detection, the present methods and apparatus can avoid the chromatic dispersion contribution present in scattered light analysis in the mid-infrared, where large wavelength-dependent changes in optical properties, particularly the real and imaginary refractive indices, are present. The current method and apparatus are capable of separately measuring IR absorption, substantially suppressing the effects of real refractive index variations.

in one embodiment, the narrow band probe light may be visible light, near infrared light, or ultraviolet laser light. Advantageously, the detection light source may be similar or identical to the light sources used for raman spectroscopy and fluorescence imaging. Thus, the device is capable of measuring both IR absorption and raman spectra and fluorescence measurements simultaneously or sequentially. In this case, the probe light from the sample may be collected by a raman spectrometer to obtain a raman spectrum and an infrared absorption spectrum at the same time. Additionally, a portion of the collected probe light may be filtered through at least one fluorescence filter and analyzed to determine the fluorescent response of the sample. For a narrow band light source that coincides the raman and/or fluorescence spectra and the IR absorption, the center wavelength may be substantially equal to one of: 244nm, 257nm, 325nm, 364nm, 457nm, 473nm, 488nm, 514nm, 532nm, 633nm, 660nm, 785nm, 830nm, 980nm, and 1064 nm.

The embodiments described herein are exemplary embodiments. Modifications, rearrangements, substitutions of procedures, elements, etc. can be made to these embodiments and still fall within the scope of the invention. One or more of the steps, processes or methods described herein may be performed by one or more processes and/or digital devices suitably programmed.

Depending on the embodiment, any of the acts, events or functions of any method steps described herein can be performed in a different order, and may be added, combined, or omitted entirely (e.g., not all described acts or events are necessary to perform an algorithm). Further, in particular embodiments, acts or events may be performed concurrently, rather than sequentially.

The various illustrative logical blocks, optical and SPM control elements and method steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application for which the overall system is designed. The described functionality may be implemented in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks and modules described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a machine, such as a processor configured with specific instructions, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be a controller, microcontroller, state machine, combination thereof, or the like. A processor may also be a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other similar configuration.

The elements of a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module may be stored in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The software modules may include computer-executable instructions that cause the hardware processor to execute the computer-executable instructions.

Conditional expressions such as "may," "is capable of," "for example," and the like, as used herein, generally refer to the inclusion of a particular embodiment and the exclusion of certain features, elements, and/or states in other embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise or understood from the context. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that a particular feature, element, and/or state is in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic to determine whether such feature, element, and/or state is included or is to be performed in any particular embodiment, with or without author input or prompting. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," "involving," and the like, are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude other elements, features, acts, operations, and the like. Furthermore, the term "or" is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense), so that when a list of elements is connected, the term "or" means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, a Disjunctive language such as "X, Y or at least one of Z" is generally used in context to mean that an item, term, etc. may be X, Y or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y and/or Z). Thus, this disjunctive language is not generally, and should not, imply that a particular embodiment must have at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z.

The terms "about" or "approximately" and the like are synonymous and are used to indicate that the value modified by the term has a range associated therewith, where the range can be ± 20%, ± 15%, ± 10%, ± 5%, or ± 1%. The term "substantially" is used to indicate that a result (e.g., a measured value) is close to a target value, where close may mean, for example, that the result is within 80% of the value, within 90% of the value, within 95% of the value, or within 99% of the value.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, for example, "a" or "an" should generally be interpreted as including one or more of the described items. Thus, for example, a phrase "an apparatus is configured to" is intended to include one or more of the apparatus. Such one or more devices may also be collectively configured to execute the described content. For example, a "processor configured to execute A, B and C" may include a first processor that executes A and a second processor that executes B and C.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods are described herein. These examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in various ways, to produce yet further additional embodiments. In addition, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations, and locations, etc., have been described for use with the disclosed embodiments, other materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations, locations, etc., may be used in addition to those disclosed without departing from the scope of the invention.

One of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter herein may contain fewer features than any of the individual embodiments described above. The embodiments described herein are not exhaustive illustrations of various combinations of features of the subject matter herein. Thus, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, as one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, various embodiments may include combinations of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments. Furthermore, elements described with respect to one embodiment may be implemented in other embodiments even if not described in such embodiments unless otherwise specified.

although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a particular combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments may also include combinations of the dependent claim with the subject matter of other dependent claims, or combinations of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are included herein unless stated otherwise.

Any incorporation by reference of documents above is to be limited and there is no subject matter that is contrary to the subject matter explicitly disclosed herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited and, thus, any claims herein are not incorporated by reference. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited and, thus, any definitions provided in this document are not incorporated herein by reference unless expressly included herein.

For the purpose of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of article 112(f) of the american codex 35 should not be incorporated unless the specific term "means for.