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A nanometre-scale resolution interference-based probe of interfacial phenomena between microscopic objects and surfaces

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  • Jose C. Contreras-Naranjo

    (Texas A&M University)

  • Victor M. Ugaz

    (Texas A&M University)

Abstract

Interferometric techniques have proven useful to infer proximity and local surface profiles of microscopic objects near surfaces. But a critical trade-off emerges between accuracy and mathematical complexity when these methods are applied outside the vicinity of closest approach. Here we introduce a significant advancement that enables reflection interference contrast microscopy to provide nearly instantaneous reconstruction of an arbitrary convex object’s contour next to a bounding surface with nanometre resolution, making it possible to interrogate microparticle/surface interaction phenomena at radii of curvature 1,000 times smaller than those accessible by the conventional surface force apparatus. The unique view-from-below perspective of reflection interference contrast microscopy also reveals previously unseen deformations and allows the first direct observation of femtolitre-scale capillary condensation dynamics underneath micron-sized particles. Our implementation of reflection interference contrast microscopy provides a generally applicable nanometre-scale resolution tool that can be potentially exploited to dynamically probe ensembles of objects near surfaces so that statistical/probabilistic behaviour can be realistically captured.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose C. Contreras-Naranjo & Victor M. Ugaz, 2013. "A nanometre-scale resolution interference-based probe of interfacial phenomena between microscopic objects and surfaces," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2865
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2865
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    Cited by:

    1. Felix Kohler & Olivier Pierre-Louis & Dag Kristian Dysthe, 2022. "Crystal growth in confinement," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.

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