Near-infrared nanospectroscopy using a low-noise supercontinuum source

Unlocking the true potential of optical spectroscopy on nanoscale requires development stable and low-noise laser sources. Here, we have developed a supercontinuum (SC) source based an all-normal dispersion fiber pumped by femtosecond demonstrate high resolution, spectrally resolved near-field measurements in near-infrared (NIR) region. Specifically, explore reduced-noise requirements for aperture-less scattering-type scanning microscopy (s-SNOM), including inherent pulse-to-pulse fluctuation SC. We use our SC light to first NIR, s-SNOM measurement, situation where state-of-the-art commercial sources are too noisy be useful. map propagation surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves monocrystalline gold platelets wavelength region 1.34–1.75 μm single thereby characterizing experimentally curve SPP NIR. Our results represent technological breakthrough that has enable wide range new applications studies.