EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/K77808/01
Title: A SCANNING SHEAR-FORCE AND NEAR-FIELD OPTICAL MICRO- SCOPE FOR POLYMERS
Principal Investigator: Miles, Professor MJ
Other Investigators:
Hanna, Dr S
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Bristol
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 1995 Ends: 30 September 1998 Value (£): 180,576
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
In the last two years, we have developed a non-contact, shear-force controlled SNOM. The technique measures the amplitude and phase of the driven probe using an interferometer and lock-in amplifier. We will exploit the exceptional sensitivity of this AFM and of the SNOM capability in several ways both as a microscope and as a tool in nanolithography. We will focus on polymer systems. By measuring the local optical properties, in particular birefringence and absorption, we will determine local orientation and phase structure on the tens of nanometre scale. The SNOM illuminates a small volume in a thin film of photoresist and so can be used to create structures on the 20 nm scale using this instrument. The feasibility of creating smaller light sources than the possibilities offered using the existing aperture methods will be investigated for higher resolution optical imaging. for the interpretation and for the development of SNOM, theoretical calculations of SNOM imaging will be developed in concert with experiment.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.bris.ac.uk