Abstract

We demonstrate a high-spatial-resolution imaging and spectroscopy tool using a solid immersion lens (SIL), a hemispherical lens made of high refractive index glass (n ~2). Photoluminescence (PL) images of single CdSe nanocrystals confirm a numerical aperture enhancement factor of ~2, close to the refractive index of the SIL. In particular, a bare-eye observation of PL signals emitted by single nanocrystals with ~10 µm^-2 densities was possible over an ~30 µm diameter region. In addition, the PL spectra of single CdSe nanocrystals were successfully measured at room temperature. Thus, this SIL microscope ensures a simple but powerful method for nanostructure spectroscopy.

© 2011 Optical Society of Korea

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