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Instruments & Resources
Raman Atomic Force Microscopy

Raman Atomic Force Microscopy

Raman atomic force microscopy (AFM) combines AFM and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). Both are used for chemical imaging. AFM-Raman uses AFM to map the surface morphology with few-nanometer spatial resolution, while simultaneously recording co-located Raman spectra using confocal microscopy. This allows chemical imaging with few-hundred-nanometer spatial resolution via Raman spectroscopy. TERS is used for chemical imaging with a few-nanometer spatial resolution. This relies on signal enhancement from the interaction between a metallic surface and the metallic AFM tip. TERS can be performed in liquid environments and is used to track chemical reactions in situ.

Raman Atomic Microscope — EMSL's Raman atomic force microscopy resources are used for chemical available.

Research application

Supporting the Structural Biology Integrated Research Platform, these resources can image and identify bio-structures with nanoscale spatial resolution.
Supporting the Biogeochemical Transformations Integrated Research Platform, these resources can track chemical changes in biogeochemical or hydrological systems.

Available Instruments

AFM-Raman
TERS

Tips for success

Samples of almost any form are compatible with AFM-Raman. However, samples provided in solution or suspension allow for chemical identification with the highest sensitivity.