2020 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
Molecular interaction analysis of lipid bilayer nanodomains by scanning probe nanospectroscopy in fluid environments
| Project/Area Number |
19K15449
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| Research Institution | Institute of Physical and Chemical Research |
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Principal Investigator |
BALOIS MariaVanessa 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 光量子工学研究センター, 基礎科学特別研究員 (00775083)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2021-03-31
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| Keywords | nanospectroscopy / Raman spectroscopy / surface science / optics |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
I have now constructed the illumination and the detection units of my nanospectroscopy system whose main goal is to detect ultra-low frequency tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) from molecules in a liquid environment. Measurements have been made to determine if the system can detect both high frequency (fingerprint region) and ultra-low frequency Raman using conventional microscopy (diffraction limited). Based on these measurements, further optimization of the system’s detection optical system was made. A 3-electrode electrochemical system was also constructed based on the initial designs made the previous year. An etching protocol that was also made the previous year was implemented and also optimized for the tip-making process. Using this tip-making system and the developed tip-making protocol, I have successfully etched Au wires (diameter = 100 microns) to make a sharp Au probe (diameter ~ 32 nm). Three initial samples were used for the nanospectroscopy system: (1) L-cysteine sample, (2) monolayer graphene on an Au(111) single crystal substrate and (3) a benzenethiol self-assembled monolayer (SAM) that was grown on an Au(111) single crystal substrate. The L-cysteine is to determine if ultra-low frequency Raman could be detected, while the monolayer graphene and SAM were used to determine if high frequency Raman could also be detected.
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