LOW COST CAMPANILE NEAR FIELD PROBE USING NANOIMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY

The near-field Campanile probe offer an unique solution to explore the behavior of matter at the nanometer scale by simultaneously imaging the physicochemical properties and the local morphology of materials. However, the fabrication of these revolutionary tips is complex and expensive with poor reproducibility, all of which prohibits any commercialization. Statement of How this Problem or Situation is Being Addressed This project proposes to develop a novel fabrication technology for directly imprinting the Campanile probes on the top of commercial optical fibers or other microscopy tips. The high resolution and versatility of the NIL technology are perfectly suitable for manufacturing the nanotips in a cost-effective and reproducible way. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits This revolutionary imaging tool will be used in a broad range of applications including solar-cells, new hard drives and artificial proteins. Biologists, chemists, electrical engineers, and physicists will use the Campanile tips to probe matter at the nanoscale and design novel applications. Numerous research laboratories are just waiting for using the tips. Key Words nanofabrication, nanoimprint, near-field optics, spectroscopy Summary for Members of Congress In this project, aBeam Technologies will further develop and commercialize the revolutionary nearfield optical probes developed by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and supported by their patent. The product will open a new area to image matter at the nano-scale and develop novel applications.