Infrared emission from tunneling electrons: the end of the rainbow in scanning tunneling microscopy

Michael G. Boyle, J. Mitra, P. Dawson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)
247 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Electromagnetic radiation originating with localized surface plasmons in the metal-tip/metal-sample nanocavity of a scanning tunneling microscope is demonstrated to extend to a wavelength λ of at least 1.7 μm. Progressive spectral extension beyond λ ∼ 1.0 μm occurs for increasing tip radius above ∼ 15 nm, reaching λ ∼ 1.7 μm for tip radius ∼ 100 nm; these observations are corroborated by use of a simple physical model that relates the discrete plasmon mode frequencies to the tip radius. This spectral extension opens up a new regime for scanning tunneling microscope-based optical spectroscopy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number233118
Number of pages3
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume94
Issue number23
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Jun 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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