Experimental mechanics at the nanometric level

Abstract

This article describes research carried out in the field of optical super-resolution. The main goal of this study was to go beyond the Rayleigh limit in conventional optics and observe phenomena at the nano-range, because in certain circumstances methods such as X-ray and electron microscopy cannot be applied because of their influence on the observed specimens. In summary, the presence of a small polystyrene sphere on the optical field of a conventional optical microscope seems to have converted the microscope into a device capable of functioning beyond the classical limit of resolution. This means that the near-field generated by evanescent illumination can be sensed by a microscope. Detection of particles in the range of a few tens of nanometres was achieved. © 2008 The Author. Journal compilation 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.