Near-field Raman scattering investigation of tip effects on C-60 molecules

Near-field Raman scattering has been utilized to study the interaction between an apertureless metal coated sharp tip and C-60 molecules. Through local plasmon polaritons generated at the metallized tip, the tip interacts electromagnetically and chemically with the sample molecules, providing an enhanced scattering and high spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limits of the probing light. An additional enhancement was observed under the gap-mode configuration. The sample molecules were uniaxially pressurized by the tip, and a mechanical interaction between the tip and the sample molecules was also investigated. The photopolymerization of C-60 molecules was found to accelerate under the high pressure.