Near-field microscopy

Near-field microscopy is a technique that allows scientists to see very small details, smaller than what traditional microscopes can resolve. It works by bringing a tiny probe extremely close to a sample’s surface—much closer than visible light’s wavelength—so it can detect features at the nanometer scale. This proximity creates a “near-field” interaction that captures high-resolution information without diffraction limits. The data collected helps produce detailed images of surfaces, making it useful in fields like nanotechnology, biology, and materials science for studying structures at the molecular or atomic level.