Light interacting with a material can provide a wide range of information about its electronic and chemical structure, and dynamic properties. However, the information has a relatively low spatial resolution, determined by the diffraction limit of light. With the increasing interest in nanostructures, low dimensional materials, and devices based on nanoscale morphology, the need for nanometer-scale optical techniques has grown.

In the Atkin group, we develop and use near-field optical microscopy techniques. These techniques are based on atomic-force microscopy (AFM) combined with optical spectroscopy. We take advantage of the “optical antenna” properties of the AFM tip to concentrate and locally enhance light, so that we can study what materials look like with nanometer spatial resolution. We use these techniques to understand how nanoscale structure underpins functionality in molecular and inorganic semiconductors, energy harvesting materials, and biological systems. We also use simulation tools to study the light-matter interaction and how to increase spatial resolution, improve sensitivity, and explore new types of materials.