Jason E. Sanabia
Atomic Physics Division, Physics Laboratory
Scott N. Goldie
Optical Technology Division, Physics Laboratory
We
discuss our design for a laser-scanning confocal microscope that will provide
fluorescence images with diffraction-limited spatial resolution and spectral
information. An achromatic design
allows UV excitation while visible to 1000 nm emission is collected.
A liquid nitrogen-cooled CCD spectrometer can record spectra over long
periods of exposure. A liquid nitrogen vacuum cryostat allows the
sample to be held in vacuum at fixed temperatures between 80 and 325 K.
We will employ this apparatus to investigate photoluminescence from individual
semiconducting nanostructures, local environments in polymeric
and biological materials, and interfaces of heterogeneous polymer blends.