Journal article
Through a Window, Brightly: A Review of Selected Nanofabricated Thin-Film Platforms for Spectroscopy, Imaging, and Detection
Applied spectroscopy, v 71(9), pp 2051-2075
01 Sep 2017
PMID: 28714316
Abstract
We present a review of the use of selected nanofabricated thin films to deliver a host of capabilities and insights spanning bioanalytical and biophysical chemistry, materials science, and fundamental molecular-level research. We discuss approaches where thin films have been vital, enabling experimental studies using a variety of optical spectroscopies across the visible and infrared spectral range, electron microscopies, and related techniques such as electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and single molecule sensing. We anchor this broad discussion by highlighting two particularly exciting exemplars: a thin-walled nanofluidic sample cell concept that has advanced the discovery horizons of ultrafast spectroscopy and of electron microscopy investigations of in-liquid samples; and a unique class of thin-film-based nanofluidic devices, designed around a nanopore, with expansive prospects for single molecule sensing. Free-standing, low-stress silicon nitride membranes are a canonical structural element for these applications, and we elucidate the fabrication and resulting featuresincluding mechanical stability, optical properties, X-ray and electron scattering properties, and chemical natureof this material in this format. We also outline design and performance principles and include a discussion of underlying material preparations and properties suitable for understanding the use of alternative thin-film materials such as graphene.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Through a Window, Brightly: A Review of Selected Nanofabricated Thin-Film Platforms for Spectroscopy, Imaging, and Detection
- Creators
- Jason R. Dwyer - University of Rhode IslandMaher Harb - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Applied spectroscopy, v 71(9), pp 2051-2075
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 25
- Grant note
- 1150085 / Directorate For Engineering; National Science Foundation (NSF); NSF - Directorate for Engineering (ENG) CBET-1150085 / NSF; National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Physics
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000408851300001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85028622403
- Other Identifier
- 991019168907304721
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Instruments & Instrumentation
- Spectroscopy