Time-resolved chemical imaging based on stimulated TERS

"Probe microscopy instruments (including AFM and STM) have been developed that offer spatial resolution of molecules and even chemical bonds. These tools do not typically offer the desired chemical information on molecular timescales. Molecular Vista, Inc. (MVI) will develop a tip-enhanced ultrafast time-resolved optical spectral imaging microscope, which extends the performance of the current state-of-the-art TERS (tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy) capability from imaging only molecules with high Raman cross-sections to a larger array of molecules with much smaller Raman cross-sections. The goal is to develop a user-friendly hybrid AFM that provides both ultrafast time-resolved chemical information and topography with molecular-level spatial resolution to aid basic science in diverse fields. The proposed instrument will be based on heterodyne detection of stimulated tip-enhanced Raman scattering (HS-TERS). In Phase I portion of the Fast Track, MVI will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed technique with continuous wave (CW) lasers. In year 1 of Phase II, the technique will be demonstrated with picosecond lasers at University of California, Irvine (our Research Institution collaborator) while HS-TERS based on CW lasers is commercialized by Molecular Vista. In year 2 of Phase II, time-resolved femtosecond HS-TERS will be demonstrated at UC Irvine and commercialized at MVI. The rapid pace of commercial development is due to the synergy the proposed HS-TERS instrument shares with the company’s existing products. The instruments unique capability will allow it to be effectively marketed to niche research market (ultrafast spectroscopy, single molecule spectroscopy, etc.) creating a quick revenue stream for the company. Additionally, the enhanced signal-to-noise will allow the tool to be robust and fast enough for industrial metrology applications that were heretofore impractical to address. Key Words: tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, hybrid optical atomic force microscope, time-resolved nanoscopy Summary for Members of Congress: Researchers in diverse scientific fields are in need of a microscope that can resolve single chemical events in real space and time. Molecular Vista, Inc. plans to develop a new tool that allows scientists to visualize molecular events with unprecedented time and spatial resolution."