Near-field optical imaging with a CdSe single nanocrystal-based active tip

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates near-field optical imaging using a single CdSe nanocrystal as an active tip, validating its potential for ultra-high resolution microscopy despite challenges from blinking.

Contribution

It introduces a novel active tip based on a single CdSe nanocrystal for near-field optical imaging, showcasing its feasibility for high-resolution microscopy.

Findings

Successful near-field imaging with a single nanocrystal tip

Validation of nanocrystal tips for ultra-high resolution microscopy

Partial image acquisition due to blinking phenomena

Abstract

We report near-field scanning optical imaging with an active tip made of a single fluorescent CdSe nanocrystal attached at the apex of an optical tip. Although the images are acquired only partially because of the random blinking of the semiconductor particle, our work validates the use of such tips in ultra-high spatial resolution optical microscopy.