加藤 遼
特任助教
徳島大学ポストLEDフォトニクス研究所
Raman spectroscopy is a potent tool for directly probing the chemical characteristics of molecules. Nevertheless, due to the intrinsic diffraction limit of light, its spatial resolution is traditionally constrained to the micrometer scale. This limitation impedes the investigation of material properties at the nanometer scale.
Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), an innovative amalgamation of Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) with Raman Spectroscopy, emerges as a formidable analytical technique. It permits the elucidation of both topographic and chemical attributes of materials at the nanoscale. The principle underlying TERS is the confinement and amplification of light in the proximity of a metallic nano-tip's apex, facilitated by localized surface plasmon resonances. This confinement bestows TERS with an exceptional spatial resolution that surpasses the conventional diffraction limit of light, coupled with heightened sensitivity. These attributes have been refined to such a degree that the detection capabilities of TERS now extend to the level of single molecules.
Harnessing the power of Tip-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS), our research offers a profound insight into nanomaterials. TERS transcends traditional analysis by mapping not only the chemical composition but also the unique physical properties of nanoscale samples, including van der Waals forces and structural defects.
With its nanometric precision, TERS is pivotal in studying a variety of materials from nano-carbon structures to 2D materials and complex biological entities. This technique is instrumental in pioneering new materials and enhancing our understanding of their fundamental properties.
Our pursuit with TERS is to decode the complexities of the nanoworld, thereby enabling innovations across material science and nanotechnology. Join us in exploring the intricacies of materials at the atomic level, where each discovery holds the potential to revolutionize the field.
Stable TERS system
for long-duration TERS imaging
Our endeavor in nano-imaging is geared towards refining the precision of Tip-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS). We're addressing the longstanding challenges in reproducibility and reliability of TERS measurements. Our focus includes developing methods for the consistent fabrication of TERS tips and advancing theoretical models to better predict near-field Raman intensities. Additionally, we're improving optical setups to stabilize TERS systems against thermal drift, ensuring high-quality, long-term imaging of sensitive 2D materials. Through these efforts, we aim to standardize TERS as a robust tool for nanoscale analysis.
Building upon the cutting-edge intersection of nanotechnology and bio-sensing, our research focuses on the development of highly sensitive biosensors and advanced imaging techniques with transformative applications in biology. We are pushing the frontiers of detection to the single-molecule level using plasmonic metal nanostructures and metamaterials that confine and significantly amplify optical fields at the nanoscale. This enhancement is pivotal for our highly sensitive bio-sensing projects, which hold the promise of detecting and analyzing biomolecular interactions with unprecedented precision.
In parallel, we are pioneering in the field of super-resolution imaging by utilizing mid-infrared photothermal microscopy, a technique that is opening new horizons for biochemical applications. This method allows us to visualize biological samples with super-resolution, far beyond the capabilities of conventional infrared imaging. Our work in Raman imaging, empowered by these technological advancements, is setting new standards for resolution and sensitivity.
The overarching goal of our research is to provide novel insights into biological functions and phenomena across different scales, from single molecules to entire cells. By bridging the gap between nano-engineering and biological interrogation, we aim to unveil the complex machinations of life at its most fundamental level, offering groundbreaking perspectives in biomedical research and diagnostics.
