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Infrared spectroscopy across scales in length and time at BESSY II
Alexander Veber1, Ljiljana Puskar2, Janina Kneipp1
1Department of Chemistry, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Straße 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany.
Journal of Synchrotron Radiation
|April 23, 2024
Summary
The upgraded BESSY II infrared beamline now offers advanced nano-spectroscopy capabilities. A new scattering-type near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM) achieves sub-30nm resolution for molecular and material characterization.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- The BESSY II storage ring's infrared beamline has undergone recent upgrades.
- These enhancements aim to expand the capabilities of infrared microscopy for detailed analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the current configuration of the infrared beamline.
- To present the initial results from a newly implemented nano-spectroscopy microscope.
- To demonstrate the advanced characterization potential for molecules and materials.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the upgraded infrared beamline at BESSY II.
- Employed a new scattering-type near-field optical microscope (s-SNOM) for nano-spectroscopy.
- Investigated cellulose microfibrils to showcase the microscope's capabilities.
Main Results:
- Achieved imaging with a spatial resolution below 30 nm.
- Collected infrared spectra from an effective volume as small as 30 nm x 30 nm x 12 nm.
- Demonstrated the s-SNOM's effectiveness in analyzing nanoscopic hierarchical structures.
Conclusions:
- The upgraded beamline and s-SNOM provide powerful tools for nanoscale chemical imaging and spectroscopy.
- Further optimization of the beamline performance is under consideration.
- The system enables high-resolution characterization of complex molecular and material structures.
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