A multipurpose scanning near-field optical microscope: Reflectivity and photocurrent on semiconductor and biological samples

A multipurpose scanning near field optical microscope (SNOM) operating at ambient pressure is described with the aim of characterizing the inner parts of biological molecules and any semiconductor or metal microstructure. Therefore, in addition to the requirements of reliability and mechanical stability we have carefully considered analyzing a sample with all available geometries for input/output of photons, in order to get as much information as possible. The SNOM unit consists of two separable cylindrical supports; the lower one contains the sample holder mounted on top of a piezoelectric scanner which is contained in a motor controlled x-y-z stage. A piezo-modulated stretched optical fiber with a few tens of nanometer pinhole and a shear-force apparatus mounted inside the top cylinder allow for topography measurements. The reflectivity of the sample can be measured by applying different methods: the sample can be illuminated on top by an external source, as well as by the optical fiber used for the det...