Plasmonic properties of novel low-dimensional materials (LDMs) are promising for a range of biosensing and information technology applications. Since optical properties of LDMs can be modulated at the ultimate scale of (a few) nanometers, the characterization of these materials requires a similar spatial resolution, not available with regular tools.

Scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscope (sSNOM) allowed us to reveal such plasmonic properties of LDMs. For example, both single-wavelength and hyperspectral sSNOM imaging of graphene enables study of phonon-plasmon polariton coupling in this atomically thin layer of carbon.

Here we cover several hybrid structures based on nanocarbon materials, such as graphene and single-wall nanotubes.

SVR acknowledges help of Mr. M. Blades (Lehigh University) and Dr. T. Gokus (Neaspec). This research was partially supported by the UNCG Faculty First Award, the NSF ECCS-1509786, and Penn State Quantum Characterization Infrastructure initiative.