Absorption microscopes

We offer a novel, ultra-sensitive raster-scanning absorption microscope for the detection and quantitative characterization of nanoscale particles, low-dimensional materials, thin films, and defects in vacuum, air, and liquid environments.

In this system, conventional lenses and objectives are replaced by a pair of high-reflectivity mirrors, significantly enhancing light–matter interaction. One mirror is macroscopic and serves as the sample substrate, while the second is microscopically small. By raster-scanning the sample with high speed and precision, the system generates absorption images with unprecedented sensitivity—down to 0.1 parts per million—exceeding the performance of conventional techniques by a factor of 1,000. This capability reveals optically "invisible" samples, such as individual nanoparticles, single defects, and even single molecules.

The microscope is capable of imaging areas up to 300 × 300 µm² within a few seconds, achieving diffraction-limited spatial resolution. At a fixed point, time-resolved measurements can be performed with a temporal resolution on the order of a few microseconds.

Each mirror set provides a spectral bandwidth of 100–150 nm. A wide selection of stock and custom mirrors is available, all of which can be exchanged in under 30 minutes, allowing full coverage of the visible to near-infrared (VIS/NIR) spectral range.

Control is managed through a Python-based software suite that includes standard measurement and analysis routines. The software also supports integration with additional laboratory instrumentation.

The microscope is also highly sensitive to scattering and also support fluorescent imaging, dielectric index and phase measurements as well as polarization control.

For advanced spectroscopic applications, an optional module enables high-resolution spectroscopy with spectral resolution down to 0.02 nm in under one second, as well as the acquisition of hyperspectral maps.