Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) information of the optical response in the nanometre scale is important in the field of nanophotonics science. Using photoinduced force microscopy (PiFM), we can visualize the nano-scale optical field using the optical gradient force between the tip and sample. Here, we demonstrate 3D photoinduced force field visualization around a quantum dot in the single-nanometre spatial resolution with heterodyne frequency modulation technique, using which, the effect of the photothermal expansion of the tip and sample in the ultra-high vacuum condition can be avoided. The obtained 3D mapping shows the spatially localized photoinduced interaction potential and force field vectors in the single nano-scale for composite quantum dots with photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the spatial resolution of PiFM imaging achieved is ~0.7 nm. The single-nanometer scale photoinduced field visualization is crucial for applications such as photo catalysts, optical functional devices, and optical manipulation.
Highlights
Three-dimensional (3D) information of the optical response in the nanometre scale is important in the field of nanophotonics science
We demonstrate the visualisation of photoinduced electric field distributions on composite quantum dots (QDs) that have special electronic and optical structures as photocatalysts at the single-nanometre scale using photoinduced force microscopy (PiFM)[11]
To clearly demonstrate gradient force detection through our heterodyne-FM technique, we performed PiFM imaging (Fig. 1a) using Zn–Ag–In–S (ZAIS) QDs consisting of multiple different optical components[4]
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) information of the optical response in the nanometre scale is important in the field of nanophotonics science. Aside from the theoretical speculation or ensemble measurements of individual materials, the direct visualisation of these photoinduced electric fields in individual materials is crucial for creating optical functions in the single-nanometre-scale range. We demonstrate the visualisation of photoinduced electric field distributions on composite QDs that have special electronic and optical structures as photocatalysts at the single-nanometre scale using photoinduced force microscopy (PiFM)[11]. This is realised via 3D mapping using PiFM. Owing to the vacuum conditions, no water layer is formed on the surface of the sample, which could otherwise become problematic for the detection of dipole–dipole interactions between the tip and the sample[16]
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