Femtosecond ready NSOM-AFM-STM (Request a quote)
Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM) is a versatile tool for nano-characterization 
and nanomanufacturing.
Conventional microscopes have fundamentally limited resolution due to 
diffraction, but there is no such restriction for near-field interactions, that 
is why near-field microscopy is becoming one of the most important techniques 
for nano-science.
Possible applications of this tool are characterization 
of photonic nanodevices, bio photonics (investigation of cells, viruses, DNA 
molecules), nano-chemistry (chemical reactions control), nanoscale 
photolithography (processing of photosensitive polymers).
NSOM delivered femto-second pulses can be used for nanometer-scale surface 
topology modification. Temporal resolution provided by femtosecond laser opens 
wide range of new possibilities such as: transport dynamics studies of 
nanostructured materials, pump-probe experiments, ultra fast coherent and Raman 
spectroscopy. Spatial optical resolution of the tool is better than 100 nm and 
temporal resolution in the pulse operation mode is better than 100 fs. Tunable 
CW operation for spectral measurements is also available, wavelength range in 
this case is 710-950 nm.
Advanced Nearfield Scanning Optical Microscopy/Atomic Force Microscopy/Scanning 
Probe Microscopy systems (NSOM-AFM-SPM) are used for numerous applications in 
materials research, including semiconductors, data storage, electronic 
materials, solar cells, polymers, catalysts, life sciences and nano-sciences. 
NSOM-AFM-SPM is a well-established method for ultra-high nano-scale spatial 
resolution surface imaging and the characterization of surfaces and interfaces 
down to atomic dimensions. 
    ![]() 
    Fluorescence image of 100 nm - diameter TransFluoSpheres,  
  | 
    
    ![]() 
    Near-field optical image of 250 nm - diameter gold beads, deposited onto 
    a glass slide.  | 
  
    ![]() 
    AFM (topography) image of DNA (<3 nm thickness),   | 
    
    ![]() 
    Near-field optical image of 100 nm - diameter polystyrene beads,   | 
  
    ![]() Standard 100kHz fiber probe and fiber micro objective for the reflection mode operation.  | 
    
    ![]() 32 kHz custom nanofiber probe 
  | 
  
NSOM Applications
Photonic Crystal Nanocavities for 
Efficient Light Confinement and Emission
pdf
Photonics Interconnects
Fabrication and integration of VLSI micro/nano-photonic circuit board
Plasmonics: Merging Photonics and Electronics at Nanoscale Dimensions
Femtosecond Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope NSOM investigations of pulse 
multiwave mixing in Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers
Femtosecond lasers recommended for use with NSOM
Ti:Sapphire lasers
Trestles femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser
Trestles Finesse femtosecond 
Ti:Sapphire laser with integrated DPSS pump laser
Teahupoo Rider femtosecond amplified 
Ti:Sapphire laser
Cr:Forsterite lasers
Mavericks femtosecond 
Cr:Forsterite laser
Er-based lasers
Tamarack femtosecond fiber laser (Er-doped 
fiber)
Buccaneer femtosecond OA fiber laser (Er-doped 
fiber) and SHG
Cannon Ultra-broadband light source
Yb-based lasers
Tourmaline femtosecond Yt-doped fiber laser
Tourmaline Yb-SS400 Ytterbium-doped Femtosecond Solid-State Laser 
Tourmaline Yb-ULRepRate-07 Yb-based high-energy fiber laser system kit
Cr:ZnSe lasers
Chata femtosecond Cr:ZnSe laser (2.5 micron) coming soon
 
Del Mar Photonics nano-imaging gallery
High resolution MFM image of Seagate Barracuda 750Gb Hard Drive, ST3750640AS.
130 nm Ag nanoparticles immobilized on the metal surface, 3.6x3.6 um scan
Magnetic structure of surface domains in Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) film
Atomic resolution on HOPG obtained with the 100 micron scanner
NSOM Fluorescence image of 100 nm - diameter TransFluoSpheres
Near-field optical image of 250 nm - diameter gold beads, deposited onto a glass 
slide
AFM (topography) image of DNA (<3 nm thickness),
    deposited onto a glass slide
Near-field optical image of 100 nm - diameter polystyrene beads, deposited onto 
a glass slide
Send us your sample for nano-characterization!!!
Related Del Mar Photonics Products:
AFM HERON
Near-field 
Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM)
Femtosecond nanophotonics
Femtosecond NSOM
SPIE Photonics West 2009 product announcement
Conventional microscopes have fundamentally limited resolution due to 
diffraction, but there is no such restriction for near-field interactions, that 
is why near-field microscopy is becoming important nano-science technique.
Possible applications of this tool are characterization of photonic nanodevices, 
bio photonics (investigation of cells, viruses, DNA molecules), nano-chemistry 
(chemical reactions control), nanoscale photolithography (processing of 
photosensitive polymers). NSOM delivered femto-second pulses can be used for 
nanometer-scale surface topology modification. Temporal resolution provided by 
femtosecond laser opens wide range of new possibilities such as: transport 
dynamics studies of nanostructured materials, pump-probe experiments, ultra fast 
coherent and Raman spectroscopy. Spatial optical resolution is better than 100 
nm and temporal resolution in the pulse operation mode is better than 100 fs. 
Tunable CW operation for spectral measurements is also available.