title: High spatial resolution imaging with near-field scanning optical microscopy in liquids.
abstract: The mechanism of tuning fork-based shear-force near-field scanning optical microscopy is investigated to determine optimal experimental conditions for imaging soft samples immersed in liquid. High feedback sensitivity and stability are obtained when only the fiber probe, i.e., excluding the tuning fork prongs, is immersed in solution, which also avoids electrical shorting in conductive (i.e., buffer) solutions. Images of MEH-PPV were obtained with comparable spatial resolution in both air and water. High optical resolution (approximately160 nm fwhm) was observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley 94720-1460, USA.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Haber
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Saykally
mesh_terms: D005030:Ethylenes / Q000737:chemistry; D000441:Hexanols / Q000737:chemistry; D000432:Methanol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D019800:Phenol / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012997:Solvents; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014732:Vibration; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005030:Ethylenes; D000441:Hexanols; D011108:Polymers; D012997:Solvents; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; D019800:Phenol; C036216:ethylene; D000432:Methanol