Looking at the nanoscale: scanning near-field optical microscopy

Understanding physical phenomena at the molecular or even atomic level, comprehending exchange processes in the cells, and storing an increasing amount of data in smaller space are all fields of research that require technology not on the micrometer but on the nanometer scale. Among these emerging techniques, we will focus on scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). We will explain its principles and its application in research. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.