Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM)System for Research and Research Training in the Optical Characterization of the Surface of Materials in Air and in Liquids

具有复杂层次结构和由多种组分组成的材料的表征是材料科学与工程中的一个重要问题。为了全面了解这些材料，一种能够在纳米尺度上实现化学对比和空间分辨率的直接成像技术将非常有用。近场扫描光学显微镜（NSOM/SNOM）是一项相对较新的技术，在空气和亚微米尺度的液体中对金属、聚合物、半导体和生物材料表面进行地形和光谱成像显示出巨大的潜力。这项拨款的目的是在亚利桑那大学建立一个NSOM系统，用于空气和液体中材料表面光学特性的研究和研究培训。仪器系统的主要组成部分是(i)具有原子力显微镜（AFM）功能的NSOM， （ii）微米拉曼光谱仪，（iii）荧光光谱仪和（iv）激光源。来自材料科学与工程、光学科学、机械工程和外科生物学等多个学科的研究人员将能够使用该设备系统进行高级研究和研究培训。还建议使用NSOM系统来培训和教育本科生，特别是通过美国国家科学基金会支持的本科生研究经验（REU）计划，该计划自1989年以来一直活跃在材料科学与工程系。该系统的收购将极大地有利于K-12的外展活动，以及招募代表性不足和少数民族学生。还计划使用NSOM设施作为更全面的亚利桑那主要分析中心（AMAC）的核心，用于仪器和材料表征。

The characterization of materials that possess a complex hierarchical organization and are composed of multiple constituents, is an important problem in materials science and engineering. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of such materials, a direct imaging technique that will allow chemical contrast and spatial resolution on the nanometer scale would be extremely useful. Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM/SNOM), a relatively new technique, is showing great potential for the topographic and spectroscopic imaging of the surfaces of metals, polymers, semiconductors and biological materials in air as well as in liquids at a submicron scale.The objective of this grant is to set up a NSOM system at the University of Arizona for research and research training in the optical characterization of the surface of materials in air as well as in liquids. The major components of the instrument system are (i) a NSOM with Atomic force microscopy (AFM) capabilities, (ii) a micron Raman spectrometer, (iii) a fluorescence spectrometer and (iv) a laser source. A team of researchers from a variety of disciplines such as materials science and engineering, optical science, mechanical engineering and surgical biology will be able to use this equipment system for advanced research and research training. It is also proposed to use the NSOM system for training and educating undergraduates, especially through the NSF supported Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program that has been active in the department of materials science and engineering since 1989. The acquisition of the system will tremendously benefit K-12 outreach activities as well as the recruitment of under represented and minority students. It is also planned to use the NSOM facility as the core of a more comprehensive Arizona Major Analytical Center (AMAC) for instrumentation and materials characterization.