INVESTIGATIONS OF LIQUID-CRYSTALS AND LIQUID AMBIENTS USING NEAR-FIELD SCANNING OPTICAL MICROSCOPY

Near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) has been utilized to stu dy the behavior of liquid crystals at room temperature. The material, 4'-octyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (8cb) was studied at the air-liquid in terface. The NSOM probe is shown to take an active role in modifying, and subsequently reading, the liquid crystal with similar to 65 nm res olution. The optical modification is proven to be independent of topog raphic modification. Also, NSOM operation using shear force feedback i n water is demonstrated with better than 50 nm lateral spatial resolut ion.