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}

SNOM using a 635 nm diode laser

SNOM using a 774 nm fs-pulsed laser