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多组分组成的材料的表征是材料科学和工程中的一个重要问题。为了全面了解这种材料，能够在纳米尺度上实现化学对比度和空间分辨率的直接成像技术将是非常有用的。近场扫描光学显微镜(NSOM/SNOM)是一种相对较新的技术，在空气和液体中的金属、聚合物、半导体和生物材料表面的形貌和光谱成像方面显示出巨大的潜力。这笔赠款的目标是在亚利桑那大学建立一个NSOM系统，用于研究和研究材料在空气和液体中的表面的光学表征。该仪器系统的主要组件是(I)具有原子力显微镜(AFM)能力的NSOM，(Ii)微米拉曼光谱仪，(Iii)荧光光谱仪和(Iv)激光光源。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团队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NSF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和工程系。购买该系统将极大地有利于K-12外联活动以及招收任职人数不足的学生和少数族裔学生。它还计划使用NSOM设施作为更全面的亚利桑那州主要分析中心(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.