Optical imaging with subnanometric resolution using nanoparticle-based plasmonic probes

ALBERTO F. SCARPETTINI; NORA PELLEGRI; ANDREA V. BRAGAS

OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2009 vol. 282 p. 1032 - 1035

0030-4018

We present images with subnanometric optical resolution using novel metal nanoparticle-based probesin a Field Enhancement Scanning Optical Microscope. The probe is built of silica microspheres decoratedwith silver nanoparticles, which act as enhancers of the optical field. The optical resolution is dependenton the wavelength and polarization of the exciting field, and the approach curves reveal the enhancementdue to cavity modes between the plasmonic probe and the sample.