EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/L31937/01
Title: OPTICAL SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY IN THE MESO TO NANOSCOPIC REGIMES
Principal Investigator: Dawson, Dr P
Other Investigators:
Atkinson, Professor R
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
HPA (Porton Down) Oxford Instruments Plc Pre Nexus Migration
Department: Sch of Mathematics and Physics
Organisation: Queen's University of Belfast
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 August 1997 Ends: 31 December 2000 Value (£): 187,032
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Surfaces & Interfaces
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
An optical scanning probe microscope (SPM) will be constructed in which the probe tip to sample distance, z, will be controllable over a large range from the nanoscopic near-field regime (z< 100 nm) to the far-field (z> lambda); importantly it includes the much ignored meso-optical regime between these limits which is crucial to understanding tip-sample interaction. To what extent does a tip, especially a metallised tip, perturb the optical response of the sample it is probing? How does an image evolve in going from the far to the near-field? Can the absolute value of z be determined? In addition to addressing such basic questions the project tackles the dynamics of surface plasmon excitations, near-field magneto-optical imaging and spectroscopic applications, in particular intriguing techniques in which surface plasmons are launched at cells occupying nano-holes in a metal film. A broad range of diagnostic applications is envisaged by our collaborators at CAMR who have pioneered the technique. The magneto-optical imaging is, of course, pertinent to ultra-high density data storage. In addressing a range of problems of basic scientific concern and forward looking industrial interest, the project has clear potential in terms of `improving economic competitiveness'.
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.qub.ac.uk