Near-field focusing and magnification through self-assembled nanoscale spherical lenses

Cup-shaped molecules of calix[4]hydroquinone self-assemble on a surface into a lens shape; these lenses are shown to generate near-field magnification beyond the diffraction limit, enabling the resolution of features of the order of 200 nanometres. Such spherical nanolenses provide new pathways for lens-based near-field focusing and high-resolution optical imaging at very low intensities, which are useful for, among other things, bio-imaging and near-field lithography.