THz near-field nanoscopy employing coherent synchrotron radiation

Abstract

We demonstrate that the coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) can be used for the scattering type near-field scanning optical microscopy (s-SNOM). Using a commercially available s-SNOM coupled to a synchrotron source we perform THz imaging and spectroscopy experiments in the spectral range of 25-55 cm-1 and spatial resolution of 60 nm. It is shown that the same optical configuration can be used for nanoscopy in the range of 25 to 4000 cm-1. Conducting experiments across the THz, far-, and mid-IR spectral ranges within a single setup offers a unique capability for the ultrabroadband characterization of complex materials in both life and material sciences at the nanoscale.