Investigations of liquid crystals and liquid ambients using near-field scanning optical microscopy

Near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) has been utilized to study the behavior of liquid crystals at room temperature. The material, 4′-octyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (8cb) was studied at the air-liquid interface. The NSOM probe is shown to take an active role in modifying, and subsequently reading, the liquid crystal with ∼ 65 nm resolution. The optical modification is proven to be independent of topographic modification. Also, NSOM operation using shear force feedback in water is demonstrated with better than 50 nm lateral spatial resolution.