Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Optical Microscopy Techniques

Currently we have three optical microscopes which allow us to perform:

  • Confocal optical microscopy with 532 nm (CW), 636 nm (CW or ps-mode) and 774 nm (120 fs) excitation sources
  • Scanning near-field optical microscopy operating either with shear-force or tunneling current as feedback signals

  • SNOM using a 635 nm diode laser

    • Laser source can be tuned between continuous wave and picoseconds pulse modes
    • Scanning probe microscope based on either shear-force or tunneling current
    • Confocal optical microscope integrated
    • Photocurrent imaging function integrated
    • Fluorescence life-time with picoseconds resolution is ready
    • Hyperspectroscopic imaging synchronized with topography acquisition

  • SNOM using a 774 nm fs-pulsed laser

    • Pulse duration: 120 fs
    • Additional super continuum pulsed laser source (600 nm – 700 nm) is ready
    • Scanning probe microscope using shear-force feedback
    • Hyperspectroscopic imaging synchronized with topography acquisition
    • Blue & red sensitive APDs integrated for simultaneous imaging of the non-linear and linear optical signal

LF: line-filter; GF: grey-filters, T: telescope; MC: mode converter; BS: non-polarising beam splitter; PM: parabolic mirror; NF: notch-filter; FM: flipping mirror; APD: avalanche photo-diode; LN2: Liquid nitrogen; CCD: charge-coupled device camera

  • 635nm microscope picture adapted from the Ph. D thesis of Laura Hennemann, University of Tübingen, 2011

  • 774nm microscope picture is made by Anke Horneber,University of Tübingen