Atomic Force Microscope Active Optical Probe for Single_Molecule Imaging and Time_Resolved Optical Spectroscopy

While chemistry science and technology greatly benefit from Atomic Force Microscopy in surface characterization, time-resolved chemical imaging on the single-molecule level, e.g., Near-Field Scanning Optical Spectroscopy and Ultrafast Tip Enhanced Spectroscopy, lags far behind. Current scanning probe microscopy only obtains information about mechanical, but not optical/chemical properties. In order to address this technical challenge, a novel class of atomic force microscopy probes called Active Optical Probes will be developed that will allow ultrafast time-resolve optical and chemical imaging at the nanoscale. As envisioned, these unique optical probes will perform the functions of conventional Atomic Force Microscopy probes and, in addition, will simultaneously provide chemical information about molecular scale interactions, including energy flow, molecular dynamics, breakage/formation of chemical bonds, and conformational changes in nanoscale systems. This innovation will be accomplished by integrating an ultrafast pulsed laser source and a photodetector monolithically into an Atomic Force Microscopy probe. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is focused on the integration of an ultrafast micrometer size laser with an atomic force microscopy probe. It will require fabricating and testing microscopy probe tips made from Gallium arsenide (GaAs) instead of Silicon, followed by fabricating and testing the GaAs-based ultrafast pulsed laser. Finally, the novel active optical probe will be applied to the study of ultrafast dynamics of the photochromic reactions in organic compounds. Techncial advances in Atomic Force Microscopy have enabled scientists to analyze complex information at the molecular scale, current technology acquires information about mechanical, but not optical/chemical properties. This project will develop an innovative class of atomic force microscopy probes that will enable scientists to acquire nanoscale information about mechanical/optical/chemical properties. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Successful results of this project will make a significant commercial contribution to the field of atomic force microscopy, enabling the production and commercialization of novel hybrid scanning probe microscopes that combine conventional atomic force microscopy and ultrfast time-resolved spectroscopy for solving important problems in chemistry, medicine and the semiconductor industry. This technology is expected to drastically enhance technical advances in data storage capabilities for components such as hard drives and optical memory devices.