We demonstrate quantitative phase mapping in confocal optical microscopy by applying synthetic optical holography (SOH), a recently introduced method for technically simple and fast phase imaging in scanning optical microscopy. SOH is implemented in a confocal microscope by simply adding a linearly moving reference mirror to the microscope setup, which generates a synthetic reference wave analogous to the plane reference wave of wide-field off-axis holography. We demonstrate that SOH confocal microscopy allows for non-contact surface profiling with sub-nanometer depth resolution. As an application for biological imaging, we apply SOH confocal microscopy to map the surface profile of an onion cell, revealing nanoscale-height features on the cell surface.

A novel approach to nanoactuation that relies on magnetomechanics instead of the conventional electromechanics utilized in micro and nanoactuated mechanical systems is devised and demonstrated. Namely, nanoactuated magnetomechanical devices that can change shape on command using a remote magnetic external stimulus, with a control at the subnanometer scale are designed and fabricated. In contrast to micro and nanoactuated electromechanical systems, nanoactuated magnetomechanical remote activation does not require physical contacts. Remote activation and control have a tremendous potential in bringing vast technological capabilities to more diverse environments, such as liquids or even inside living organisms, opening a clear path to applications in biotechnology and the emerging field of nanorobotics.

In this work, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films were treated by oxygen and helium plasmas and their chemistry and morphology were studied.