This is a proposal to: (1) build a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) capable of phase, fluorescence, polarization and second harmonic generation modes, and (2) build a modified NSOM that will use a solid metallic tip, rather than a fiberoptic tip, as an aperatureless near field optical probe. The proposed NSOM, having all of the features desired, cannot be purchased commercially. The investigators will purchase all of the major components, and then modify and assemble them to yield the desired instrument. This equipment will be used in a number of biomedical engineering research projects which include studies on: (1) the mineralization of artificial bone, (2) synapse function in neurons, (3) self-assembled fluorosomes for cancer-targeted gene delivery, (4) liquid crystal alignment on solid substrates, and (5) labeled proteins in the membranes of T cells.
