Spectroscopic nanoscopy of biological to extraterrestric materials

Near-field optical microscopy (by scattering from an AFM tip, s-SNOM) returns local absorbance from a tiny volume of only (20 nm)³ under the tip apex, thus enabling VIS-to-IR-to-THz mapping at exciting 20 nm resolution. The mid-infrared is ideal for nanoscale chemical recognition by vibrational and phonon contrasts. Highlights will be presented of finding and characterizing natural nanoscale inhomogeneities, chemical as well as structural, in organic solar-conversion films, in bone/shell biomineral matter, and in slices through a cometary dust particle. - Nano-FTIR is no less than the continued success story of FTIR-based chemical analysis into resolutions hundreds, if not thousands of times better than previously attainable. It is a highly welcome solution to nanoanalysis requirements in all nanotechnologies and nanosciences.