scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM)

Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) is a high-resolution imaging technique that captures detailed images of surfaces by bringing a tiny optical probe extremely close to the sample. Unlike regular microscopes, which are limited by light's diffraction, SNOM uses this close proximity to detect light interactions at a nanometer scale. This allows scientists to see features much smaller than what conventional microscopes can resolve, revealing nanoscale structures and properties. SNOM is valuable in fields like materials science and biology for studying surfaces, molecules, and nanostructures with precise optical information.