Patent ID: 6850323
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: B82B,B82Y,G01J,G01N,G01Q,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for analyzing a sample comprising: an atomic force microscope; and a Raman spectrometer optically coupled to the atomic force microscope, wherein the atomic force microscope has a atomic force microscope (AFM) tip with a coating disposed thereon to provide spatially selective enhancement of a Raman signal using a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect, where the Raman spectrometer has at least a quasi-monochromatic light source and where the coating is comprised of particles having a size smaller than the shortest wavelength of incident light directed thereon from the light source so that the particles generate surface plasmons, which couple with the sample to produce the enhanced Raman signal, and where the light source illuminates the tip from a side direction approximately perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting the tip and the sample.