Dual mode near-field scanning optical microscopy for near-field imaging of surface plasmon polariton

In this paper, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that metal coated apertured probes are efficient near-field probes on surfaces with high reflectivity for the scattering as well as for the collection mode near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). We show that a blunt apertured metal coated tip is very effective in suppressing image dipoles which affect strongly the signals scattered from frequently used sharp metal tips or gold nanoparticle attached probes. By using a simultaneous collection and scattering mode (dual mode) NSOM we measure the near-field images of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) launched from a slit. The collection mode measures propagating SPP along lateral distance in a long scan range with high signal-to-noise ratio, and the scattering mode measures the polarization resolved near-field of SPP. Comparisons of the measured data obtained in the dual mode enable to easily characterize SPP and to separate the measured near-field into the propagating SPP and the directly transmitted light.     

半壳结构金纳米膜的局域表面等离子体共振效应

采用纳米模版印刷术和化学自组装技术制备了半壳结构的金粒子膜.利用场发射扫描电子显微镜和光谱仪等测试手段对样品的结构和光学性质进行了分析.研究发现，该结构的金膜所具有独特的局域表面等离子体共振效应取决于样品的粒子大小、间距等微观结构，且其峰值吸收波长对其周围环境介质的介电常数变化十分敏感.实验结果表明，粒子排列均匀的亚单层膜结构是控制光学性质稳定的关键. 关键词： 局域表面等离子体共振 半壳结构 纳米模版印刷术     

表面等离子体共振技术的一些新应用

介绍了表面等离子体共振技术在表面等离子体共振传感器、扫描近场光学显微技术、薄膜光学和膜厚测量、全息成像技术、Q开关、精密角度测量等领域的新应用.     

Influence of polarization direction, incidence angle, and geometry on near-field enhancement in two-layered gold nanowires

The influences of polarization direction, incidence angle, and geometry on near-field enhancements in two-layered gold nanowires (TGNWs) have been investigated by using the vector wave function method. When the polarization direction is perpendicular to the incidence plane, the local field factor (LFF) in TGNW decreases first and then increases with the increase in the incidence angle. The minimum LFF is observed at an incidence angle of 41°. It is found that the increase in the dielectric constant of the inner core leads to a decrease in the LFF. With the increase in the inner core radius, the LFF in TGNW increases first and then decreases, and the maximum LFF is observed at an inner core radius of 27 nm. On the other hand, when the polarization direction is parallel to the incidence plane, the collective motions of the induced electrons are enhanced gradually with the decrease in the incidence angle, and hence the near-field enhancement is increased.     

层层自组装金纳米粒子表面等离子体引发光电流应用于等离子体增感太阳能电池

等离子体增感太阳能电池中,层层自组装金纳米粒子的表面等离子体共振能产生光电电流,金纳米粒子层的光电转换效率随表面等离子体共振强度的提升而增加。等离子体增感太阳能电池初步试验光电转换效能为0.75%。利用模型仿真电荷分离的现象、光电电流的产生,以及表面等离子体共振和光电电流产生之间的关系来解释实验结果。在未来,通过优化等离子体增感太阳能电池组件,可以进一步提升其转换效率。这在表面等离子体激活太阳能电池及等离子体太阳能电池领域将有很大应用潜力。     

Characterization of protein-conjugating kinetics based on localized surface plasmon resonance of the gold nanoparticle

The gold nanoparticle exhibits optical property of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which dynamically alters as the surface adsorbs new ligands. We carried out a semi-quantitative analysis with the method of multivariate curve resolution, observing that the adsorption of serum albumin on gold nanoparticle was best deciphered as two-mode competitive kinetics. Interestingly, for human serum albumin, the slower mode contributed considerably to the LSPR response of protein-conjugated surfaces, while in the case of bovine serum albumin the faster mode overwhelmed the slower one at high protein concentrations. The kinetic patterns were rationalized with diversity of biomolecular orientations on the nanoparticle surface. The simple but efficient protocol supports semi-quantitative analysis combining UV-vis spectroscopy with chemometrics method for distinguishing conjugation kinetics of different types of proteins on the surface of nanoparticles at nanomolar concentration.     

Plasmonic interactions between a perforated gold film and a thin gold film

Based on the finite difference time domain method,we investigated theoretically the optical properties and the plasmonic interactions between a gold film perforated with periodic sub-wavelength holes and a thin gold film.We showed that the plasmon resonant energies and intensities depend strongly on the thicknesses of the two films and the lattice constant.Based on the distributions of normal electric field component E z,tangential electric field component E y and total energy,we showed that the optical transmission is due to the collaboration of the localized waveguide resonance,the surface plasmon resonance and the coupling of the flat-surface plasmon of the two layers.     

Polarization dependent,surface plasmon induced photoconductance in gold nanorod arrays

We report on the photoconductance in two‐dimensional arrays of gold nanorods. The arrays are formed by a combination of droplet deposition and stamping methods. We find that the plasmon induced photoconductance is sensitive to the linear polarization of the exciting photons consistent with the excitation of the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of the nanorods.

     

A high figure of merit localized surface plasmon sensor based on a gold nanograting on the top of a gold planar film

We investigate the sensitivity and figure of merit （FOM） of a localized surface plasmon （LSP） sensor with gold nanograting on the top of planar metallic film. The sensitivity of the localized surface plasmon sensor is 317 nm/RIU, and the FOM is predicted to be above 8, which is very high for a localized surface plasmon sensor. By employing the rigorous coupled-wave analysis （RCWA） method, we analyze the distribution of the magnetic field and find that the sensing property of our proposed system is attributed to the interactions between the localized surface plasmon around the gold nanostrips and the surface plasmon polarition on the surface of the gold planar metallic film. These findings are important for developing high FOM localized surface plasmon sensors.     

阿基米德螺旋微纳结构中的表面等离激元聚焦

研究光在微纳结构中的分布与传播, 实现在纳米范围内操纵光子, 对于微型光学芯片的设计有着重要意义. 本文利用聚焦离子束刻蚀方法, 在基底为石英玻璃的150 nm厚金膜上刻制了不同参数的阿基米德螺旋微纳狭缝结构, 通过改变入射光波长、手性、及螺旋结构手性和螺距等方式, 在理论和实验上系统地研究了阿基米德螺旋微纳结构中的表面等离激元聚焦性质. 我们发现, 除了入射激光偏振态、螺旋结构手性之外, 结构螺距与表面等离激元波长的比值也可以用来控制结构表面电场分布, 进而在结构中心形成0阶、1阶乃至更高阶符合隐失贝塞尔函数的涡旋电场. 通过相位分析, 我们对涡旋电场的成因进行了解释. 并利用有限时域差分的模拟方法计算了不同螺距时, 结构中形成的电场及相应空间相位分布. 最后利用扫描近场光学显微镜, 观测结构中不同的光场分布, 在结构中心得到了亚波长的聚焦光斑及符合不同阶贝塞尔函数的涡旋形表面等离激元聚焦环.     

Tens of thousands‐fold upconversion luminescence enhancement induced by a single gold nanorod

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have gained increasing attention for their wide applications in bioimaging, displays and photovoltaics. However, low efficiency has been an ongoing challenge for further developments. In this work, it is proposed that the ultrasmall size of UCNPs is essential for achieving large enhancement factors and experimentally demonstrated with 4‐nm UCNPs. A strategy of plasmonic dual resonance is proposed in which two distinct localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of gold nanorods (GNRs) were designed to perfectly match both the excitation and emission light wavelength of UCNPs. Combining the excitation enhancement and Purcell effect, a huge enhancement factor of tens of thousands‐fold is stochastically demonstrated for single UCNPs in solution. The largest overall enhancement region is close to the end of a GNR but not in its central part. The excitation enhancement (up to three orders of magnitude) and the emission enhancement (larger than one order of magnitude) induced by the Purcell effect are experimentally demonstrated separately. This study provides insight into how to achieve a very large upconversion enhancement factor with surface plasmons and will catalyze development of UCNPs’ extensive applications.

     

Lattice plasmon mode excitation via near-field coupling

The optical response of metal nanoparticles can be modified through near-field or far-field interaction,yet the lattice plasmon modes(LPMs)considered can only be excited from the latter.Here instead,we present a theoretical evaluation for LPM excitation via the near-field coupling process.The sample is an arrayed structure with specific units composed of upper metal disks,a lower metal hole and a sandwiched dielectric post.The excitation process and underlying mechanism of the LPM and the influence of the structure parameters on the optical properties have been investigated in detail by using a finite-difference time-domain(FDTD)numerical method.Our investigation presented here should advance the understanding of near-field interaction of plasmon modes for LPM excitation,and LPMs could find some potential applications,such as in near-field optical microscopes,biosensors,optical filters and plasmonic lasers.     

金纳米环双体尺寸和耦合效应对表面等离子体共振特性的影响

采用离散偶极子近似方法系统地研究了金纳米环双体的消光光谱及其电场分布. 计算结果表明, 金纳米环双体在耦合作用下的共振消光峰对应着不同振动模式, 改变金纳米环双体的排列方式、 间距和尺寸大小, 其表面等离子体共振消光峰发生红移或蓝移. 因此可以通过对金纳米环双体结构参数和排列方式的设定, 调节其表面等离子体共振消光峰的位置. 电场分布表明, 水平排列的金纳米环双体较单个金纳米环产生更强的局部表面增强电场. 适当的小间距, 较大的内外半径的金纳米环水平阵列更适合做表面增强拉曼散射的衬底, 在生物分子检测等领域具有潜在的应用.     

金纳米球壳对的局域表面等离激元共振特性分析

应用有限元方法, 研究金纳米球壳对的几何结构参数及物理参量对其表面等离激元共振的散射及消光光谱的影响, 并根据等离激元杂化理论进行了理论分析. 结果表明, 随着金壳厚度的增加, 金纳米球壳对的散射及消光共振峰先发生蓝移而后红移, 而随着金纳米球壳间隙的减小, 或者随着金纳米球壳的内核尺寸或内核介质折射率的增大, 散射及消光共振峰均发生红移; 随着金壳厚度或内核尺寸减小, 或者随着内核介质折射率增大, 金纳米球壳对的散射与消光共振强度减弱, 而随着金壳间隙的减小, 金纳米球壳对的散射共振强度先增强后减弱, 而消光共振强度逐渐增强, 数值模拟与理论分析一致.     

Influence of amount of CTAB and ascorbic acid concentration on localized surface plasmon resonance property of gold nanorod

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are prepared through seeded growth approach. Synthesis parameters of the amount of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and concentration of ascorbic acid (AA) were studied. We were aiming for an aspect ratio of 3 which could be achieved by a nanorod feature in the range of 45 nm length and 15 nm width. The absorption spectra are observed with an UV–visible NIR spectrophotometer and analysed theoretically. It is known that there are two plasmon resonance peaks for gold nanorod corresponding to transverse surface plasmon resonance (TSPR) and longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), respectively. It is found that as the concentration of CTAB increases, the yield of NRs increases. As the concentration of AA increased from 0.05 to 0.2 M, LSP shifts to longer wavelength but upon further increasing the concentration, LSP shifts back to shorter wavelength. A linear relationship between LSPR wavelength and surrounding medium dielectric constant is obtained, which is in good agreement with the theoretical results.     

金纳米球壳表面等离激元共振波长调谐特性研究

理论研究了金纳米球壳的几何结构参数, 及物理参量对局 域表面等离激元共振波长调谐特性的影响. 结果表明, 随着壳层厚度的增大, 球壳消光共振峰先蓝移后红移, 高阶峰转向时对应的壳层厚度比低阶峰大, 且该厚度与球壳内径的比值随内径尺寸的增大而减小, 随内核材料或外界环境介电常数的增大而增大, 散射共振峰也有类似的移动规律. 利用电子杂化效应和相位延迟效应对该现象进行了理论解释.     

金纳米棒复合体的消光特性

金属纳米颗粒局域表面等离激元共振时能够产生消光和近场增强效应已经成为国内外研究的热点. 应用时域有限差分法对L形纳米棒与普通纳米棒构成的金纳米棒复合体的消光光谱及其近场增强和电流矢量密度分布进行了研究. 计算结果表明, 普通纳米棒和L形纳米棒二聚体的光谱响应与纳米棒间的间距有关, 而金纳米棒复合体的消光光谱可通过调整L形纳米棒与普通纳米棒间的间距、L形纳米棒的臂长度以及普通纳米棒的长度进行调谐. 此外金纳米棒复合体可以分解成L形纳米棒二聚体和普通纳米棒二聚体两个部分, 通过分别改变L形纳米棒的臂长和普通纳米棒的长度, 对比L形纳米棒二聚体和普通纳米棒二聚体间的共振峰位置变化, 可以更直观地了解金纳米棒复合体消光光谱线型的变化. 这些结果可用于指导金纳米棒复合体纳米光子器件的设计, 以满足其在表面增强拉曼散射和生物传感等方面应用.     

Low-cost,high performance surface plasmon resonance-compatible films characterized by the surface plasmon resonance technique

A new analytical method based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique is presented, with which SPR curves for both wavelength and angular modulations can be obtained simultaneously via only a single scan of the incident angle. Using this method, the SPR responses of TiO2-coated Cu films are characterized in the wavelength range from 600 nm to 900 nm. For the first time, we determine the effective optical constants and the thicknesses of TiO2-coated Cu films using the SPR curves of wavelength modulation. The sensitivities of prism-based SPR refractive index sensors using TiO2-coated Cu films are investigated theoretically for both wavelength and angular modulations, the results show that in the case of sensitivity with wavelength modulation, TiO2-coated Cu films are not as good as the Au film, however, they are more suitable than the Au film for SPR refractive index sensors with angular modulation because a higher sensitivity can be achieved.     

Controlling optical properties of periodic gold nanoparticle arrays by changing the substrate, topologic shapes of nanoparticles, and polarization direction of incident light

The effects of various parameters including thickness and dielectric constants of substrates,shapes of nanoparticles,and polarization direction of incident light,on the extinction spectra of periodic gold nanoparticle arrays are investigated by the full-vectorial three-dimensional (3D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) method.The calculated results show that the substrate affects the extinction spectra by coupling the fields co-excited by the substrate and gold nanoparticles.Extinction spectra are influenced by the shapes of the nanoparticles,but there are no obvious changes in extinction spectra for similar shapes.The polarization direction of incident light has a great influence on the extinction spectra.The implications of these results are discussed.     

Determination of thickness and optical dispersion property of gold film using spectroscopy of surface plasmon in frequency domain

We propose to use wavelength modulation approach, i.e., the spectroscopy of surface plasmon in frequency domain to characterize the optical dispersion property of gold film. Using this method, we determine the dispersion relationship of gold film in a wavelength range from 537.12 nm to 905.52 nm, and our results accord well with the reported results by other authors. This method is particularly suited for studying the optical dispersion properties of thin metal films, because a series of dielectric constants over a wide spectral range can be determined simultaneously via only a single scan of the incident angle, thereby avoiding the repeated measurements required when using angular modulation approach.