PNNL

Abstract

This article highlights recent advances in linear and nonlinear spectral nano-imaging. The described developments are motivated by the need to characterize molecular and material systems non-invasively with nanometer spatial and femtosecond temporal resolution. Indeed, the ability to image and chemically characterize heterogeneous interfaces with joint nano-femto resolution is prerequisite to advancing our fundamental understanding of processes as diverse as heterogenous catalysis, microbial communication, and energy flow in pristine/defect containing low-dimensional quantum materials, to name a few. We describe pioneering work and recent demonstrations of (non)linear optical nano-imaging and nano-spectroscopy, with emphasis on high spatial resolution measurements conducted under ambient laboratory conditions.