Showing papers on "Plasmon published in 2012"
TL;DR: Hybrid plasmonic waveguides as discussed by the authors employ a high-gain semiconductor nanostructure functioning as a gain medium that is separated from a metal substrate surface by a nanoscale thickness thick low-index gap.
Abstract: Hybrid plasmonic waveguides are described that employ a high-gain semiconductor nanostructure functioning as a gain medium that is separated from a metal substrate surface by a nanoscale thickness thick low-index gap. The waveguides are capable of efficient generation of sub-wavelength high intensity light and have the potential for large modulation bandwidth >1 THz.
2,060 citations
TL;DR: Using infrared nano-imaging, it is shown that common graphene/SiO2/Si back-gated structures support propagating surface plasmons and changes both the amplitude and the wavelength are altered by varying the gate voltage.
Abstract: Surface plasmons are collective oscillations of electrons in metals or semiconductors that enable confinement and control of electromagnetic energy at subwavelength scales. Rapid progress in plasmonics has largely relied on advances in device nano-fabrication, whereas less attention has been paid to the tunable properties of plasmonic media. One such medium--graphene--is amenable to convenient tuning of its electronic and optical properties by varying the applied voltage. Here, using infrared nano-imaging, we show that common graphene/SiO(2)/Si back-gated structures support propagating surface plasmons. The wavelength of graphene plasmons is of the order of 200 nanometres at technologically relevant infrared frequencies, and they can propagate several times this distance. We have succeeded in altering both the amplitude and the wavelength of these plasmons by varying the gate voltage. Using plasmon interferometry, we investigated losses in graphene by exploring real-space profiles of plasmon standing waves formed between the tip of our nano-probe and the edges of the samples. Plasmon dissipation quantified through this analysis is linked to the exotic electrodynamics of graphene. Standard plasmonic figures of merit of our tunable graphene devices surpass those of common metal-based structures.
1,849 citations
TL;DR: A successful alliance between nanoelectronics and nano-optics enables the development of active subwavelength-scale optics and a plethora of nano-optoelectronic devices and functionalities, such as tunable metamaterials, nanoscale optical processing, and strongly enhanced light–matter interactions for quantum devices and biosensing applications.
Abstract: The ability to manipulate optical fields and the energy flow of light is central to modern information and communication technologies, as well as quantum information processing schemes However, because photons do not possess charge, a way of controlling them efficiently by electrical means has so far proved elusive A promising way to achieve electric control of light could be through plasmon polaritons—coupled excitations of photons and charge carriers—in graphene In this two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms, it is expected that plasmon polaritons and their associated optical fields can readily be tuned electrically by varying the graphene carrier density Although evidence of optical graphene plasmon resonances has recently been obtained spectroscopically, no experiments so far have directly resolved propagating plasmons in real space Here we launch and detect propagating optical plasmons in tapered graphene nanostructures using near-field scattering microscopy with infrared excitation light We provide real-space images of plasmon fields, and find that the extracted plasmon wavelength is very short—more than 40 times smaller than the wavelength of illumination We exploit this strong optical field confinement to turn a graphene nanostructure into a tunable resonant plasmonic cavity with extremely small mode volume The cavity resonance is controlled in situ by gating the graphene, and in particular, complete switching on and off of the plasmon modes is demonstrated, thus paving the way towards graphene-based optical transistors This successful alliance between nanoelectronics and nano-optics enables the development of active subwavelength-scale optics and a plethora of nano-optoelectronic devices and functionalities, such as tunable metamaterials, nanoscale optical processing, and strongly enhanced light–matter interactions for quantum devices and biosensing applications
1,845 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that DNA origami enables the high-yield production of plasmonic structures that contain nanoparticles arranged in nanometre-scale helices, and it is found that the structures in solution exhibit defined circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion effects at visible wavelengths that originate from the collective plAsmon–plasmon interactions of the nanoparticles positioned with an accuracy better than two nanometres.
Abstract: Matter structured on a length scale comparable to or smaller than the wavelength of light can exhibit unusual optical properties. Particularly promising components for such materials are metal nanostructures, where structural alterations provide a straightforward means of tailoring their surface plasmon resonances and hence their interaction with light. But the top-down fabrication of plasmonic materials with controlled optical responses in the visible spectral range remains challenging, because lithographic methods are limited in resolution and in their ability to generate genuinely three-dimensional architectures. Molecular self-assembly provides an alternative bottom-up fabrication route not restricted by these limitations, and DNA- and peptide-directed assembly have proved to be viable methods for the controlled arrangement of metal nanoparticles in complex and also chiral geometries. Here we show that DNA origami enables the high-yield production of plasmonic structures that contain nanoparticles arranged in nanometre-scale helices. We find, in agreement with theoretical predictions, that the structures in solution exhibit defined circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion effects at visible wavelengths that originate from the collective plasmon-plasmon interactions of the nanoparticles positioned with an accuracy better than two nanometres. Circular dichroism effects in the visible part of the spectrum have been achieved by exploiting the chiral morphology of organic molecules and the plasmonic properties of nanoparticles, or even without precise control over the spatial configuration of the nanoparticles. In contrast, the optical response of our nanoparticle assemblies is rationally designed and tunable in handedness, colour and intensity-in accordance with our theoretical model.
1,838 citations
IBM1
TL;DR: Transparent photonic devices based on graphene/insulator stacks, which are formed by depositing alternating wafer-scale graphene sheets and thin insulating layers, then patterning them together into photonic-crystal-like structures are demonstrated, showing experimentally that the plasmon in such stacks is unambiguously non-classical.
Abstract: The collective oscillation of carriers--the plasmon--in graphene has many desirable properties, including tunability and low loss. However, in single-layer graphene, the dependence on carrier concentration of both the plasmonic resonance frequency and magnitude is relatively weak, limiting its applications in photonics. Here, we demonstrate transparent photonic devices based on graphene/insulator stacks, which are formed by depositing alternating wafer-scale graphene sheets and thin insulating layers, then patterning them together into photonic-crystal-like structures. We show experimentally that the plasmon in such stacks is unambiguously non-classical. Compared with doping in single-layer graphene, distributing carriers into multiple graphene layers effectively enhances the plasmonic resonance frequency and magnitude, which is different from the effect in a conventional semiconductor superlattice and is a direct consequence of the unique carrier density scaling law of the plasmonic resonance of Dirac fermions. Using patterned graphene/insulator stacks, we demonstrate widely tunable far-infrared notch filters with 8.2 dB rejection ratios and terahertz linear polarizers with 9.5 dB extinction ratios. An unpatterned stack consisting of five graphene layers shields 97.5% of electromagnetic radiation at frequencies below 1.2 THz. This work could lead to the development of transparent mid- and far-infrared photonic devices such as detectors, modulators and three-dimensional metamaterial systems.
1,155 citations
TL;DR: This work investigates the plasmon resonances of individual ligand-free silver nanoparticles using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope imaging and monochromated scanning TEM electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and presents an analytical quantum mechanical model that describes this shift due to a change in particle permittivity.
Abstract: The plasmon resonances of metallic nanoparticles have received considerable attention for their applications in nanophotonics, biology, sensing, spectroscopy and solar energy harvesting. Although thoroughly characterized for spheres larger than ten nanometres in diameter, the plasmonic properties of particles in the quantum size regime have been historically difficult to describe owing to weak optical scattering, metal-ligand interactions, and inhomogeneity in ensemble measurements. Such difficulties have precluded probing and controlling the plasmonic properties of quantum-sized particles in many natural and engineered processes, notably catalysis. Here we investigate the plasmon resonances of individual ligand-free silver nanoparticles using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope (TEM) imaging and monochromated scanning TEM electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). This technique allows direct correlation between a particle's geometry and its plasmon resonance. As the nanoparticle diameter decreases from 20 nanometres to less than two nanometres, the plasmon resonance shifts to higher energy by 0.5 electronvolts, a substantial deviation from classical predictions. We present an analytical quantum mechanical model that describes this shift due to a change in particle permittivity. Our results highlight the quantum plasmonic properties of small metallic nanospheres, with direct application to understanding and exploiting catalytically active and biologically relevant nanoparticles.
1,075 citations
TL;DR: It is found that the dominant limiting factor is not the resistive loss of the metal, but rather the intrinsic nonlocality of its dielectric response, which has implications for the ultimate performance of nanophotonic systems.
Abstract: Metals support surface plasmons at optical wavelengths and have the ability to localize light to subwavelength regions. The field enhancements that occur in these regions set the ultimate limitations on a wide range of nonlinear and quantum optical phenomena. We found that the dominant limiting factor is not the resistive loss of the metal, but rather the intrinsic nonlocality of its dielectric response. A semiclassical model of the electronic response of a metal places strict bounds on the ultimate field enhancement. To demonstrate the accuracy of this model, we studied optical scattering from gold nanoparticles spaced a few angstroms from a gold film. The bounds derived from the models and experiments impose limitations on all nanophotonic systems.
1,037 citations
TL;DR: A light-induced plasmonic nanowelding technique is demonstrated to assemble metallic nanowires into large interconnected networks and opens new avenues to control light, heat and mass transport at the nanoscale.
Abstract: Flexible electronics and other nanoscale devices require simple yet reliable assembly procedures. An optical welding technique for metal nanowires, based on surface plasmon resonances, is now used to fabricate interconnected nanowire networks with enhanced electrical properties for use as transparent electrodes in solar cells and other electrical devices.
1,036 citations
TL;DR: RET from a plasmonic metal to a semiconductor is a viable and efficient mechanism that can be used to guide the design of photocatalysts, photovoltaics, and other optoelectronic devices.
Abstract: Plasmonic metal nanostructures have been incorporated into semiconductors to enhance the solar-light harvesting and the energy-conversion efficiency. So far the mechanism of energy transfer from the plasmonic metal to semiconductors remains unclear. Herein the underlying plasmonic energy-transfer mechanism is unambiguously determined in Au@SiO2@Cu2O sandwich nanostructures by transient-absorption and photocatalysis action spectrum measurement. The gold core converts the energy of incident photons into localized surface plasmon resonance oscillations and transfers the plasmonic energy to the Cu2O semiconductor shell via resonant energy transfer (RET). RET generates electron–hole pairs in the semiconductor by the dipole–dipole interaction between the plasmonic metal (donor) and semiconductor (acceptor), which greatly enhances the visible-light photocatalytic activity as compared to the semiconductor alone. RET from a plasmonic metal to a semiconductor is a viable and efficient mechanism that can be used to ...
1,026 citations
TL;DR: By simultaneously measuring both the electrical and optical properties of two gold nanostructures with controllable subnanometre separation, this work reveals the quantum regime of tunnelling plasmonics in unprecedented detail and implies a quantum limit for plAsmonic field confinement of about 10−8λ3 for visible light.
Abstract: When two metal nanostructures are placed nanometres apart, their optically driven free electrons couple electrically across the gap. The resulting plasmons have enhanced optical fields of a specific colour tightly confined inside the gap. Many emerging nanophotonic technologies depend on the careful control of this plasmonic coupling, including optical nanoantennas for high-sensitivity chemical and biological sensors, nanoscale control of active devices, and improved photovoltaic devices. But for subnanometre gaps, coherent quantum tunnelling becomes possible and the system enters a regime of extreme non-locality in which previous classical treatments fail. Electron correlations across the gap that are driven by quantum tunnelling require a new description of non-local transport, which is crucial in nanoscale optoelectronics and single-molecule electronics. Here, by simultaneously measuring both the electrical and optical properties of two gold nanostructures with controllable subnanometre separation, we reveal the quantum regime of tunnelling plasmonics in unprecedented detail. All observed phenomena are in good agreement with recent quantum-based models of plasmonic systems, which eliminate the singularities predicted by classical theories. These findings imply that tunnelling establishes a quantum limit for plasmonic field confinement of about 10(-8)λ(3) for visible light (of wavelength λ). Our work thus prompts new theoretical and experimental investigations into quantum-domain plasmonic systems, and will affect the future of nanoplasmonic device engineering and nanoscale photochemistry.
895 citations
TL;DR: Gold nanoclusters have discrete electronic energy levels as opposed to the continuous band in plasmonic nanoparticles, and show multiple optical absorption peaks in the optical spectrum versus a single surface plAsmon resonance (SPR) peak at 520 nm for spherical gold nanocrystals.
Abstract: Gold nanoparticles typically have a metallic core, and the electronic conduction band consists of quasicontinuous energy levels (i.e. spacing δ ≪ kBT, where kBT is the thermal energy at temperature T (typically room temperature) and kB is the Boltzmann constant). Electrons in the conduction band roam throughout the metal core, and light can collectively excite these electrons to give rise to plasmonic responses. This plasmon resonance accounts for the beautiful ruby-red color of colloidal gold first observed by Faraday back in 1857.On the other hand, when gold nanoparticles become extremely small (<2 nm in diameter), significant quantization occurs to the conduction band. These quantum-sized nanoparticles constitute a new class of nanomaterial and have received much attention in recent years. To differentiate quantum-sized nanoparticles from conventional plasmonic gold nanoparticles, researchers often refer to the ultrasmall nanoparticles as nanoclusters.In this Account, we chose several typical sizes of ...
TL;DR: In this article, localized surface plasmons and their effects on semiconductors, particularly in terms of energy transfer, scattering, and hot electron transfer, are reviewed, and the relevant physics, device geometries, and research progress in this area are discussed.
Abstract: The study of the optoelectronic effects of plasmonic metal nanoparticles on semiconductors has led to compelling evidence for plasmon-enhanced water splitting. We review the relevant physics, device geometries, and research progress in this area. We focus on localized surface plasmons and their effects on semiconductors, particularly in terms of energy transfer, scattering, and hot electron transfer.
TL;DR: In this article, the compensation of loss and amplification of surface plasmons in waveguides and resonators is discussed, and future challenges, including how to overcome the large losses present in plasmonic systems that offer strong electromagnetic confinement, are also discussed.
Abstract: This Review provides an introduction to the compensation of loss and amplification of surface plasmons in waveguides and resonators. Future challenges, including how to overcome the large losses present in plasmonic systems that offer strong electromagnetic confinement, are also discussed.
TL;DR: A universal scaling law is introduced that considerably simplifies the analysis an understanding of plasmons in doped graphene and provides the building blocks to construct graphene plasmon circuits for future compact plAsmon devices with potential application to optical signal processing, infrared sensing, and quantum information technology.
Abstract: Plasmons in doped graphene exhibit relatively large confinement and long lifetime compared to noble-metal plasmons. Here, we study the propagation properties of plasmons guided along individual and interacting graphene nanoribbons. Besides their tunability via electrostatic gating, an additional handle to control these excitations is provided by the dielectric environment and the relative arrangement of the interacting waveguides. Plasmon interaction and hybridization in pairs of neighboring aligned ribbons are shown to be strong enough to produce dramatic modifications in the plasmon field profiles. We introduce a universal scaling law that considerably simplifies the analysis an understanding of these plasmons. Our work provides the building blocks to construct graphene plasmon circuits for future compact plasmon devices with potential application to optical signal processing, infrared sensing, and quantum information technology.
TL;DR: The low-threshold, continuous-wave operation of a subdiffraction nanolaser based on surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation is reported on, opening a scalable platform for low-loss, active nanoplasmonics.
Abstract: A nanolaser is a key component for on-chip optical communications and computing systems. Here, we report on the low-threshold, continuous-wave operation of a subdiffraction nanolaser based on surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. The plasmonic nanocavity is formed between an atomically smooth epitaxial silver film and a single optically pumped nanorod consisting of an epitaxial gallium nitride shell and an indium gallium nitride core acting as gain medium. The atomic smoothness of the metallic film is crucial for reducing the modal volume and plasmonic losses. Bimodal lasing with similar pumping thresholds was experimentally observed, and polarization properties of the two modes were used to unambiguously identify them with theoretically predicted modes. The all-epitaxial approach opens a scalable platform for low-loss, active nanoplasmonics.
TL;DR: The plasmonic detection of single molecules in real time without the need for labelling or amplification is reported, and the binding of single proteins is detected by monitoring the plAsmon resonance of the nanorod with a sensitive photothermal assay.
Abstract: Existing methods for the optical detection of single molecules require the molecules to absorb light to produce fluorescence or direct absorption signals. This limits the range of species that can be detected, because most molecules are purely refractive. Metal nanoparticles or dielectric resonators can be used to detect non-absorbing molecules because local changes in the refractive index produce a resonance shift. However, current approaches only detect single molecules when the resonance shift is amplified by a highly polarizable label or by a localized precipitation reaction on the surface of a nanoparticle. Without such amplification, single-molecule events can only be identified in a statistical way. Here, we report the plasmonic detection of single molecules in real time without the need for labelling or amplification. Our sensor consists of a single gold nanorod coated with biotin receptors, and the binding of single proteins is detected by monitoring the plasmon resonance of the nanorod with a sensitive photothermal assay. The sensitivity of our device is ∼700 times higher than state-of-the-art plasmon sensors and is intrinsically limited by spectral diffusion of the surface plasmon resonance.
TL;DR: It is shown that the film-coupled nanocubes provide a reflectance spectrum that can be tailored by varying the geometry (the size of the cubes and/or the thickness of the spacer) and can be controlled at scales out of reach of lithographic approaches that are otherwise required to manipulate matter on the nanoscale.
Abstract: Efficient and tunable absorption is essential for a variety of applications, such as designing controlled-emissivity surfaces for thermophotovoltaic devices, tailoring an infrared spectrum for controlled thermal dissipation and producing detector elements for imaging. Metamaterials based on metallic elements are particularly efficient as absorbing media, because both the electrical and the magnetic properties of a metamaterial can be tuned by structured design. So far, metamaterial absorbers in the infrared or visible range have been fabricated using lithographically patterned metallic structures, making them inherently difficult to produce over large areas and hence reducing their applicability. Here we demonstrate a simple method to create a metamaterial absorber by randomly adsorbing chemically synthesized silver nanocubes onto a nanoscale-thick polymer spacer layer on a gold film, making no effort to control the spatial arrangement of the cubes on the film. We show that the film-coupled nanocubes provide a reflectance spectrum that can be tailored by varying the geometry (the size of the cubes and/or the thickness of the spacer). Each nanocube is the optical analogue of a grounded patch antenna, with a nearly identical local field structure that is modified by the plasmonic response of the metal's dielectric function, and with an anomalously large absorption efficiency that can be partly attributed to an interferometric effect. The absorptivity of large surface areas can be controlled using this method, at scales out of reach of lithographic approaches (such as electron-beam lithography) that are otherwise required to manipulate matter on the nanoscale.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that metallic phases of WO(3-δ) nanoparticles exhibit a strong and tunable localized surface plasmon resonance, which opens up the possibility of rationally designing plasMonic tungsten oxide nanoparticles for light harvesting, bioimaging, and sensing.
Abstract: Transition-metal oxide nanocrystals are interesting candidates for localized surface plasmon resonance hosts because they exhibit fascinating properties arising from the unique character of their outer-d valence electrons. WO3−δ nanoparticles are known to have intense visible and near-IR absorption, but the origin of the optical absorption has remained unclear. Here we demonstrate that metallic phases of WO3−δ nanoparticles exhibit a strong and tunable localized surface plasmon resonance, which opens up the possibility of rationally designing plasmonic tungsten oxide nanoparticles for light harvesting, bioimaging, and sensing.
TL;DR: Nanoscale antennas sandwiched between two graphene monolayers yield a photodetector that efficiently converts visible and near-infrared photons into electrons with an 800% enhancement of the photocurrent relative to the antennaless graphene device.
Abstract: Nanoscale antennas sandwiched between two graphene monolayers yield a photodetector that efficiently converts visible and near-infrared photons into electrons with an 800% enhancement of the photocurrent relative to the antennaless graphene device. The antenna contributes to the photocurrent in two ways: by the transfer of hot electrons generated in the antenna structure upon plasmon decay, as well as by direct plasmon-enhanced excitation of intrinsic graphene electrons due to the antenna near field. This results in a graphene-based photodetector achieving up to 20% internal quantum efficiency in the visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum. This device can serve as a model for merging the light-harvesting characteristics of optical frequency antennas with the highly attractive transport properties of graphene in new optoelectronic devices.
TL;DR: A new, surfactant-free synthesis method of biocompatible gold nanostars with adjustable geometry such that the plasmon band can be tuned into the near-infrared region 'tissue diagnostic window', which is most suitable for in vivo imaging.
Abstract: Understanding the control of the optical and plasmonic properties of unique nanosystems--gold nanostars--both experimentally and theoretically permits superior design and fabrication for biomedical applications. Here, we present a new, surfactant-free synthesis method of biocompatible gold nanostars with adjustable geometry such that the plasmon band can be tuned into the near-infrared region 'tissue diagnostic window', which is most suitable for in vivo imaging. Theoretical modelling was performed for multiple-branched 3D nanostars and yielded absorption spectra in good agreement with experimental results. The plasmon band shift was attributed to variations in branch aspect ratio, and the plasmon band intensifies with increasing branch number, branch length, and overall star size. Nanostars showed an extremely strong two-photon photoluminescence (TPL) process. The TPL imaging of wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA) functionalized nanostars on BT549 breast cancer cells and of PEGylated nanostars circulating in the vasculature, examined through a dorsal window chamber in vivo in laboratory mouse studies, demonstrated that gold nanostars can serve as an efficient contrast agent for biological imaging applications.
TL;DR: The proposed structure is compared with recently demonstrated graphene nanoribbons based on bound plasmonic oscillations and can be used as a highly tunable optical filter or a broad-band modulator because the resonant wavelength can be quickly tuned over a wide wavelength range by a small change in the Fermi energy level of the graphene.
Abstract: We propose an active plasmonic device based on graphene. Highly confined plasmonic waves in monolayer graphene are efficiently excited using an etched diffractive grating on silicon. The guided-wave resonance of the combined structure creates a sharp notch on the normal-incidence transmission spectra, as the incident optical wave couples to the graphene plasmonic wave. This structure can be used as a highly tunable optical filter or a broad-band modulator because the resonant wavelength can be quickly tuned over a wide wavelength range by a small change in the Fermi energy level of the graphene. In this paper, we analyze the performance of this device with finite-difference time-domain simulations. We compare the proposed structure with recently demonstrated graphene nanoribbons based on bound plasmonic oscillations.
TL;DR: The insights given in this paper provide the key guidelines for designing high-transmittance and low-resistance nanowire electrodes for optoelectronic devices, including thin-film solar cells and the general design principles to use the nanowires also as a light trapping scheme.
Abstract: We present a transparent conducting electrode composed of a periodic two-dimensional network of silver nanowires. Networks of Ag nanowires are made with wire diameters of 45–110 nm and a pitch of 500, 700, and 1000 nm. Anomalous optical transmission is observed, with an averaged transmission up to 91% for the best transmitting network and sheet resistances as low as 6.5 Ω/sq for the best conducting network. Our most dilute networks show lower sheet resistance and higher optical transmittance than an 80 nm thick layer of ITO sputtered on glass. By comparing measurements and simulations, we identify four distinct physical phenomena that govern the transmission of light through the networks: all related to the excitation of localized surface plasmons and surface plasmon polaritons on the wires. The insights given in this paper provide the key guidelines for designing high-transmittance and low-resistance nanowire electrodes for optoelectronic devices, including thin-film solar cells. For the latter, we discu...
TL;DR: A Plasmonic water splitting cell in which 95% of the effective charge carriers derive from surface plasmon decay to hot electrons is reported, as evidenced by fuel production efficiencies up to 20-fold higher at visible, as compared to UV, wavelengths.
Abstract: We report a plasmonic water splitting cell in which 95% of the effective charge carriers derive from surface plasmon decay to hot electrons, as evidenced by fuel production efficiencies up to 20-fold higher at visible, as compared to UV, wavelengths. The cell functions by illuminating a dense array of aligned gold nanorods capped with TiO2, forming a Schottky metal/semiconductor interface which collects and conducts the hot electrons to an unilluminated platinum counter-electrode where hydrogen gas evolves. The resultant positive charges in the Au nanorods function as holes and are extracted by an oxidation catalyst which electrocatalytically oxidizes water to oxygen gas.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A room-temperature semiconductor sub-diffraction-limited laser is presented by adopting total internal reflection of surface plasmons to mitigate the radiation loss, while using hybrid semiconductor-insulator-metal nanosquares for strong confinement with low metal loss.
Abstract: Plasmon lasers can operate at dimensions well below the diffraction limit. Their small size promises uses in nanophotonic circuits and for other size-critical applications. The demonstration of a sub-diffraction-limited plasmon laser with low losses, which enables its room-temperature operation, takes a significant step towards realizing the potential of these lasers.
TL;DR: A review of surface plasmon resonance-mediated photocatalysis can be found in this article, where the authors highlight diverse applications of plasmoric photocatalysts in mineralization of organic pollutants, organic synthesis and water splitting.
Abstract: Harvesting abundant and renewable sunlight in energy production and environmental remediation is an emerging research topic. Indeed, research on solar-driven heterogeneous photocatalysis based on surface plasmon resonance has seen rapid growth and potentially opens a technologically promising avenue that can benefit the sustainable development of global energy and the environment. This review briefly summarizes recent advances in the synthesis and photocatalytic properties of plasmonic composites (e.g., hybrid structures) formed by noble metal (e.g., gold, silver) nanoparticles dispersed on a variety of substrates that are composed of metal oxides, silver halides, graphene oxide, among others. Brief introduction of surface plasmon resonance and the synthesis of noble metal-based composites are given, followed by highlighting diverse applications of plasmonic photocatalysts in mineralization of organic pollutants, organic synthesis and water splitting. Insights into surface plasmon resonance-mediated photocatalysis not only impact the basic science of heterogeneous photocatalysis, but generate new concepts guiding practical technologies such as wastewater treatment, air purification, selective oxidation reactions, selective reduction reactions, and solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion in an energy efficient and environmentally benign approach. This review ends with a summary and perspectives.
TL;DR: The ability of plasmons to guide and confine light on subwavelength scales is opening up new design possibilities for solar cells as discussed by the authors, and the plasmon oscillations are free-electron oscillations in a conductor allowing light to be manipulated at the nanoscale.
Abstract: Plasmons are free-electron oscillations in a conductor that allow light to be manipulated at the nanoscale. The ability of plasmons to guide and confine light on subwavelength scales is opening up new design possibilities for solar cells.
TL;DR: It is shown that both classical as well as linear quantum mechanical descriptions of the system fail even for moderate incident light intensities and the coupling between the two nanoparticles and the field enhancement is reduced as compared to linear theory.
Abstract: A fully quantum mechanical investigation using time-dependent density functional theory reveals that the field enhancement in a coupled nanoparticle dimer can be strongly affected by nonlinear effects. We show that both classical as well as linear quantum mechanical descriptions of the system fail even for moderate incident light intensities. An interparticle current resulting from the strong field photoemission tends to neutralize the plasmon-induced surface charge densities on the opposite sides of the nanoparticle junction. Thus, the coupling between the two nanoparticles and the field enhancement is reduced as compared to linear theory. A substantial nonlinear effect is revealed already at incident powers of 109 W/cm2 for interparticle separation distances as large as 1 nm and down to the touching limit.
TL;DR: A dual-band perfect absorber based on a gold nanocross structure with two bands of maximum absorption of 94% is introduced and can be readily tuned throughout the mid-infrared with their associated resonances giving rise to large near-field enhancements.
Abstract: Metamaterial-based perfect absorbers utilize intrinsic loss, with the aid of appropriate structural design, to achieve near unity absorption at a certain wavelength. For most of the reported absorbers, the absorption occurs only at a single wavelength where plasmon resonances are excited in the nanostructures. Here we introduce a dual-band perfect absorber based on a gold nanocross structure. Two bands of maximum absorption of 94% are experimentally accomplished by breaking the symmetry of the cross structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate the two bands can be readily tuned throughout the mid-infrared with their associated resonances giving rise to large near-field enhancements. These features are ideal for multiband surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy applications. We experimentally demonstrate this application by simultaneously detecting two molecular vibrational modes of a 4 nm thick polymer film utilizing our proposed absorber. Furthermore, in response to variations in the interaction strength betwee...
TL;DR: This Review considers recent novel applications of plasmonics to chemical reactions, especially toPlasmon-driven surface-catalyzed reactions and surface-enhanced Raman scattering, and finds a novel method to synthesize new molecules, induced by local surface plasmons or plAsmon waveguides on the nanoscale.
Abstract: The first experimental and theoretical evidence of the surface-catalyzed reaction of p,p'-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB) produced from para-aminothiophenol (PATP) by local surface plasmons was reported in 2010, and since that time a series of investigations have supported these findings using different experimental and theoretical methods. Recent work has also found that local plasmons can drive a surface-catalyzed reaction of DMAB converted from 4-nitrobenzenethiol (4NBT), assisted by local surface plasmons. There are at least three important discoveries in these investigations: 1) in the field of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) the widely accepted misinterpretation (since 1994) that the chemical mechanism resulting in three additional Raman peaks of PATP in Ag or Au solutions has been corrected with a new mechanism; 2) it is confirmed that SERS is not always a noninvasive technique, and under certain conditions cannot always obtain the vibrational fingerprint information of the original surface species; 3) a novel method to synthesize new molecules, induced by local surface plasmons or plasmon waveguides on the nanoscale, has been found. This Review considers recent novel applications of plasmonics to chemical reactions, especially to plasmon-driven surface-catalyzed reactions.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that down to the nanometer length scales investigated classical electrodynamics still holds, and a full quantum description of electrodynamic phenomena in such systems might be required only when smaller gaps of a few angstroms are considered.
Abstract: We push the fabrication limit of gold nanostructures to the exciting sub-nanometer regime, in which light–matter interactions have been anticipated to be strongly affected by the quantum nature of electrons in metals. Doing so allows us to (1) evaluate the validity of classical electrodynamics to describe plasmonic effects at this length scale and (2) witness the gradual (instead of sudden) evolution of plasmon modes when two gold nanoprisms are brought into contact. Using electron energy-loss spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope imaging, we investigated nanoprisms separated by gaps of only 0.5 nm and connected by conductive bridges as narrow as 3 nm. Good agreement of our experimental results with electromagnetic calculations and LC circuit models evidence the gradual evolution of the plasmonic resonances toward the quantum coupling regime. We demonstrate that down to the nanometer length scales investigated classical electrodynamics still holds, and a full quantum description of electrodyna...