Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
08:01
Spectral and Angle-Resolved Magneto-Optical Characterization of Photonic Nanostructures
Published on: November 21, 2019
7.6K
Probing millikelvin temperature sensitivity in chiral nanoparticles via optical forces
Seongmin Im1, Wei Hong, Gayatri P Chandran
1Nick Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
APL Materials
|October 27, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a tip-based optical force nanoscopy technique for precise nanoscale photothermal mapping. It achieves high temperature sensitivity (0.1 K) under ambient conditions, overcoming limitations of other methods.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Precise measurement of nanoscale photothermal effects is crucial for applications using nanostructures as heat sources.
- Existing techniques like fluorescence, Raman, far-field imaging, and electron microscopy have limitations in calibration, spatial resolution, or in situ applicability.
- Tip-based measurement offers sub-diffraction resolution under ambient conditions, suitable for nanoscale photothermal mapping.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin of photothermal force using tip-based optical force nanoscopy.
- To enable nanoscale mapping of photothermal effects.
- To evaluate the temperature sensitivity of the developed system.
Main Methods:
- Employing tip-based optical force nanoscopy.
- Utilizing phase-informed decomposition for data analysis.
- Performing measurements under ambient conditions.
Main Results:
- Achieved a temperature sensitivity of approximately 0.1 K.
- Demonstrated nanoscale mapping of photothermal effects without an additional temperature-sensitive layer.
- Investigated the origin of the photothermal force.
Conclusions:
- The developed tip-based optical force nanoscopy system provides a versatile platform for nanoscale photothermal mapping.
- The approach overcomes limitations of existing techniques, offering high sensitivity and in situ applicability.
- Potential applications include semiconductors, nanophotonics, and photocatalysis.
