Scanning near-field optical microscope for characterizing nanoscale metascreens and metamaterials

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The focusing and manipulation of light at the nanoscale is very important for applications such as nanolithography, microscopy, biological sensing, enhancement of the efficiency of solar cells and even emerging novel cancer therapies. To achieve this goal, novel nanostructures are required with unusual electromagnetic properties called 'metamaterials'. Specifically, at the University of Toronto we have been developing a new class of nanostructures called 'metascreens' to focus and manipulate light at the nanoscale. We have already demonstrated the super-resolving imaging properties of metascreens at microwave frequencies. Recently, we have fabricated metascreens at the nanoscale but we lack the equipment to characterize them. For this purpose, we are proposing to acquire a near-field optical microscope which will enable up to complete the development of our metascreen technology. Moreover, the same instrument will be invaluable for characterizing a host of new metamaterial/nanophotonic devices as are being developed.