Abstract

Different types of in situ nanometric-sized sources have been recently developed to investigate the properties of surfaces at nanometer scale. In order to be used for experiments involving slow processes or for scanning probe tip functionalization, these nanosources have to be bright and photostable. A single molecule fulfills the first property but suffers from irreversible photobleaching at room temperature. One alternative system consists of photoluminescent quantum dot which is indeed very close to a bright point source. However, its blinking behavior will be a serious drawback for most applications. Absorption-based detection schemes also allow one to detect single nano-objects, like a nanometric gold nanosphere.

© 2007 IEEE