A "nanoprism" probe for nano-optical applications

A study was reported to mass-produce pristine nanoprism probes. The study performed apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy (ANSOM) on gold nanoparticles using a nanoprism probe, which revealed the significant field localization at the torn-off sharp edges and vertices of the nanoprism. This method can be used to prepare probes terminated with virtually any nanostructure such as nanoprisms, ZnO nanorods, and metallic nanoparticles. The probe was installed on the AFM system equipped with a humidity controller and scanned repeatedly over 1 μm long lines in contact with a silicon oxide substrate for ̃60 s. This method produced a probe with Si surface and the shape of the grinded surface was determined by the cross-section of the AFM probe. The study mass-produced pristine nanoprism probes and other probes terminated with peculiar nanostructures such as ZnO nanorods fabrication.