Computed terahertz near-field mapping of molecular resonances of lactose stereo-isomer impurities with sub-attomole sensitivity.

Terahertz near-field microscopy (THz-NFM) could locally probe low-energy molecular vibration dynamics below diffraction limits, showing promise to decipher intermolecular interactions of biomolecules and quantum matters with unique THz vibrational fingerprints. However, its realization has been impeded by low spatial and spectral resolutions and lack of theoretical models to quantitatively analyze near-field imaging. Here, we show that THz scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (THz s-SNOM) with a theoretical model can quantitatively measure and image such low-energy molecular interactions, permitting computed spectroscopic near-field mapping of THz molecular resonance spectra.

Ultra-thin films with highly absorbent porous media fine-tunable for coloration and enhanced color purity.

We demonstrate ultra-thin, fine-tunable optical coatings with enhanced color purity based on highly absorbent porous media on a metal substrate. We show that the color range provided by these ultra-thin film coatings can be extended by making the absorptive dielectric layer porous. Oblique angle deposition (OAD) of a thin (10-25 nm) germanium (Ge) film by e-beam evaporation onto a thick gold substrate yields controlled porosity.

Direct Detection of Cylindrocarpon destructans, Root Rot Pathogen of Ginseng by Nested PCR from Soil Samples.

We have successfully applied the nested PCR to detect Cylindrocarpon destructans, a major pathogen causing root rot disease from ginseng seedlings in our former study. The PCR assay, in this study, was used to detect the pathogen from soils. The nested PCR using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1, 4 primer set and Dest 1, 4 primer set maintained the specificity in soils containing various microorganisms.