Derek Nowak

Molecular Vista, Inc. develops nanochemical spatial mapping tools that probe and analyze matter at the molecular level through quantitative visualization. Its flagship product, Vista One, combines atomic force microscopy (AFM) and IR spectroscopy to acquire both topography and chemical signature(s) at the nanometer scale. Through its patented technique of Photo-induced Force Microscopy (PiFM), the photo-induced polarization of the sample is measured directly in the near-field by detecting the time-integrated force between the tip and the sample. PiFM demonstrates exceptional spatial resolution (~5 nm), excellent sensitivity (monolayer), a good correlation to bulk FTIR spectra, and universal applicability to a wide range of organic and inorganic materials. By imaging infrared wavelengths specific to different chemical entities, PiFM can resolve the nanometer-scale distribution of each chemical species in diverse multi-phase and multi-component systems, thereby revealing an unprecedented and spectacular molecular vista to the researcher. The Vista One can be equipped with scattering SNOM, Raman, or other options as well. Molecular Vista was founded by two industry veterans, H. Kumar Wickramasinghe, Ph.D., and Sung Park, Ph.D. (co-founder of Park Scientific Instruments).