Nanoscale Chemical Imaging by Photo?Induced Force Microscopy: Technical Aspects and Application to the Geosciences

Photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM) is a new-frontier technique that combines the advantages of atomic with infrared spectroscopy and allows for simultaneous acquisition 3D topographic data molecular chemical information at high spatial (~ 5 nm) spectral 1 cm?1) resolution nanoscale. This non-destructive time efficient as it requires only conventional mirror-polishing has fast mapping rates on order few minutes allow study dynamic processes via series. Here, we review method’s historical development, working principle, acquisition, evaluation, provide comparison traditional geochemical methods. We PiFM studies in areas materials science, chemistry biology. In addition, first applications samples including visualization faint growth zonation zircons, identification fluid speciation high-pressure experimental samples, nanoscale organic phases biominerals. demonstrate analysis time- cost-efficient combining high-resolution surface imaging and, thus, complements expands