SBIR Phase II: Sub-100nm Infrared Spectroscopy Based on Atomic Force Microscopy

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to develop the prototype of a characterization system which can perform IR spectroscopy and imaging at sub-100nm spatial resolution and thus break the 5 micron resolution barrier that has limited IR spectroscopy for the last 50 years. This 50x breakthrough in spatial resolution is enabled by the proprietary technique of Photo-Thermal Induced Resonance (PTIR) whose feasibility has already been demonstrated in the Phase I work. IR spectroscopy is a critical analytical technique which itself comprises a $1 Billion/yr industry. However, its spatial resolution limitation has seriously limited researchers who need information on nanoscale chemical composition. The potential impact of nanoscale IR ranges from new materials discovery to interfacial property improvements in high value applications.