Thursday, 11 July, 2002
Infrared antenna for nano-size mapping of crystal vibrations
Infrared antenna for nano-size mapping of crystal vibrations Scientists at the Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie in Martinsried near München, Germany, have used their infrared near-field microscope to study crystal lattice vibrations (Nature 418, 159, 11. July 2002). They used infrared laser beam illumination of a nano-sized antenna to obtain resonance with the vibrations, the so-called phonon resonance. The new technique makes it possible to find out a crystals chemical identity, and even its structural quality, both with nanometric resolution. This promises interesting applications in materials research in general. It should allow new insight in biominerals such as teeth or bone. Also technical applications e.g. for mass data storage are foreseen. [..]
Ansprechpartner:
Dr. Fritz Keilmann
Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie
Abteilung Molekulare Strukturbiologie
Am Klopferspitz
D-82152 Martinsried
Tel.: +49 89 8578 2617
Fax: +49 89 8578 2641
keilmann
biochem.mpg.de
www.biochem.mpg.de/baumeister/personal/keilmann/publications.html