A quantum-dot-based measuring system is disclosed. The quantum-dot-based measuring system includes a laser to emit excitation light, an optical fiber probe including a tail end and a tapered tip, and the tapered tip of the optical fiber probe is attached with one or more quantum dots, and the excitation light is injected from the tail end of the optical fiber probe and emitted from the tapered tip to a sample to be detected, an objective lens to collect optical signal reflected by the sample and a spectrometer to receive the optical signal.

The invention offers high resolution and accuracy for nanoscale device characterization from ultraviolet through microwave wavelengths. Instead of collecting light after emission in near-field that decays to far-field, the present invention directly couples the near-field waves to a polaritonic-coated probe. The polaritonic coating can be formed on an wavelength tuned optical fiber to receive the coupled emission and form polaritons, including plasmons, phonons, and magnons, using the polaritonic material. The polaritons propagate along the probe decay back into the fiber core without substantial losses to far-field and are transmitted to a detector, such as a spectroscope. The coupling of the near-field energy to emission detected through the tip apex of fiber can be expressed as emission spectra. Through mapping with other spatial points, multi-dimensional displays and other information can be provided. The resolution can be less than 100 nanometers, including an order of magnitude less than 100 nanometers.

The invention relates to a method for obtaining a functionalised sensor tip for atomic force microscopy, which is characterised in that functionalisation takes place by means of an activated vapour silanisation process, comprising: a) evaporating an organometallic compound containing at least one silicon atom and at least one functional group selected from an amine group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group and a thiol group; b) activating the vapour of the organometallic compound of step a) by heating; and c) causing the activated vapour of step b) to impinge on a sensor tip for atomic force microscopy in order to deposit a film of the organometallic compound on the sensor tip, steps b) and c) taking place consecutively. The invention also relates to the functionalised sensor tip obtained using the method.

The invention relates to a system suitable for its use in scanning probe microscopy, such as tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy or magnetic force microscopy, that comprises: a tip (1) comprising an apex (1′); a plurality of nanoparticles (2, 2′) attached to the tip (1); having a size between 0.5 and 100 nm. Advantageously, the plurality of nanoparticles (2, 2′) comprises a cluster (2″) of one or more nanoparticles (2′) disposed at the apex (1′) of the tip (1), wherein the cluster (2″) is spaced from any other nanoparticle (2) of the tip (1) at least a distance d of 0.5 nm. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining such system through a controlled thermal treatment that exploits the intrinsic properties of nanoparticles.

The invention relates to a system suitable for its use in scanning probe microscopy, such as tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy or magnetic force microscopy, that comprises: a tip (1) comprising an apex (1′); a plurality of nanoparticles (2, 2′) attached to the tip (1); having a size between 0.5 and 100 nm. Advantageously, the plurality of nanoparticles (2, 2′) comprises a cluster (2″) of one or more nanoparticles (2′) disposed at the apex (1′) of the tip (1), wherein the cluster (2″) is spaced from any other nanoparticle (2) of the tip (1) at least a distance d of 0.5 nm. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining such system through a controlled thermal treatment that exploits the intrinsic properties of nanoparticles.

The invention relates to a method for obtaining a functionalised sensor tip for atomic force microscopy, which is characterised in that functionalisation takes place by means of an activated vapour silanisation process, comprising: a) evaporating an organometallic compound containing at least one silicon atom and at least one functional group selected from an amine group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group and a thiol group; b) activating the vapour of the organometallic compound of step a) by heating; and c) causing the activated vapour of step b) to impinge on a sensor tip for atomic force microscopy in order to deposit a film of the organometallic compound on the sensor tip, steps b) and c) taking place consecutively. The invention also relates to the functionalised sensor tip obtained using the method.

A needle-shaped body protrudes from a cantilever made of Si. Furthermore, the rear face of the cantilever is coated with aluminum (first metal) having a Fermi level higher than that of Si. The cantilever is dipped into an aqueous silver nitride solution containing the ions of Ag serving as a second metal. The electrons of Si flow out to the aqueous silver nitride solution due to the existence of the aluminum, and Ag nanostructures are precipitated at the tip end of the needle-shaped body. A probe for tip-enhanced Raman scattering in which the Ag nanostructures are fixed to the tip end of the needle-shaped body is manufactured. The sizes and shapes of the Ag nanostructures can be controlled properly by adjusting the concentration of the aqueous silver nitride solution and the time during which the cantilever is dipped into the aqueous silver nitride solution.

A needle-shaped body protrudes from a cantilever made of Si. Furthermore, the rear face of the cantilever is coated with aluminum (first metal) having a Fermi level higher than that of Si. The cantilever is dipped into an aqueous silver nitride solution containing the ions of Ag serving as a second metal. The electrons of Si flow out to the aqueous silver nitride solution due to the existence of the aluminum, and Ag nanostructures are precipitated at the tip end of the needle-shaped body. A probe for tip-enhanced Raman scattering in which the Ag nanostructures are fixed to the tip end of the needle-shaped body is manufactured. The sizes and shapes of the Ag nanostructures can be controlled properly by adjusting the concentration of the aqueous silver nitride solution and the time during which the cantilever is dipped into the aqueous silver nitride solution.

Provided is a conical nano-carbon material functionalized needle tip, formed by assembling a nano-carbon material with a material of a needle tip by means of a covalent bond; and the material of the needle tip is a metal selected from one or more of tungsten, iron, cobalt, nickel and titanium. Further provided is a method for preparing the conical nano-carbon material functionalized needle tip. The conical nano-material functionalized needle tip has an outstanding interface formed by metal-carbide covalent bonds, and the orientation of the conical nano-material is matched with the axial direction of the metal needle tip (illustrated in FIG. 6). The proposed preparation method affords a robust interface and avoids the potential pollution to the nano-material caused during the deposition of fixing materials, such as carbon or platinum or the like, in other preparation methods.

Provided is a conical nano-carbon material functionalized needle tip, formed by assembling a nano-carbon material with a material of a needle tip by means of a covalent bond; and the material of the needle tip is a metal selected from one or more of tungsten, iron, cobalt, nickel and titanium. Further provided is a method for preparing the conical nano-carbon material functionalized needle tip. The conical nano-material functionalized needle tip has an outstanding interface formed by metal-carbide covalent bonds, and the orientation of the conical nano-material is matched with the axial direction of the metal needle tip (illustrated in FIG. 6). The proposed preparation method affords a robust interface and avoids the potential pollution to the nano-material caused during the deposition of fixing materials, such as carbon or platinum or the like, in other preparation methods.