Article Title

Polarized light microscopy and spectroscopy of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

Authors

Jacques Lefebvre, Institute for Microstructural Sciences, National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R6
Paul Finnie, Institute for Microstructural Sciences, National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R6

Keywords

Carbon nanotube, microscopy, luminescence, absorption, polarization, homodyne

Abstract

ABSTRACT Polarized light microscopy (PLM) is used to image individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) suspended in air across a slit opening. The imaging contrast relies on the strong optical anisotropy typical of SWNTs. We combine PLM with a tunable light source to enable hyperspectral excitation spectroscopy and nanotube chirality assignment. Comparison with fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy confirms the assignment made with PLM. This represents a versatile new approach to imaging SWNTs and related structures.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-011-0135-8

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Jacques Lefebvre,Paul Finnie, Polarized light microscopy and spectroscopy of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes. NanoRes.2011, 4(8): 788–794