Grating-induced plasmon mode in gold nanoparticle arrays

We study the dipolar coupling of gold nanoparticles arranged in regular two-dimensional arrays by extinction micro-spectroscopy. When the interparticle spacing approaches the plasmon resonance wavelength of the individual particles, an additional band of very narrow width emerges in the extinction spectrum. By systematically changing the particles dielectric environment, the particles shape, the grating constant and angle of incidence, we show how this band associated to a grating induced-resonance can be influenced in strength and spectral position. The spectral position can be qualitatively understood by considering the conditions for grazing grating orders whereas the strength can be related to the strength of dipolar scattering from the individual particles.     

Particle-plasmon decay-time determination by measuring the optical near-field’s autocorrelation: influence of inhomogeneous line broadening

A detailed analysis of the influence of inhomogeneous plasmon absorption band broadening on particle-plasmon decay-time determination by an interferometric autocorrelation method is reported. We present model calculations based on the representation of plasmons in an array of non-uniformly shaped particles by an ensemble of harmonic oscillators. Considering carefully the extent of the inhomogeneous broadening our theoretical treatment yields an unambiguous correlation between the autocorrelation function and the plasmon decay time. As an experimental example we find a plasmon decay time of 6 fs for a gold nanoparticle sample. Received: 24 November 1998 / Revised version: 12 March 1999 / Published online: 7 July 1999     

Spectrally coded optical data storage by metal nanoparticles

In metal nanoparticles the resonance wavelength of light-driven collective electron oscillations is determined by the particle shape. This shape dependence can be used for optical data storage by spectral coding. In this way the storage density can be increased by at least a factor of 5 compared with that for conventional optical storage principles.     

On the theory of slowing down gracefully

We discuss the transport of a tracer particle through the Bose?CEinstein condensate of a Bose gas. The particle interacts with the atoms in the Bose gas through two-body interactions. In the limiting regime where the particle is very heavy and the Bose gas is very dense, but very weakly interacting (??mean-field limit??), the dynamics of this system corresponds to classical Hamiltonian dynamics. We show that, in this limit, the particle is decelerated by emission of gapless modes into the condensate (Cerenkov radiation). For an ideal gas, the particle eventually comes to rest. In an interacting Bose gas, the particle is decelerated until its speed equals the propagation speed of the Goldstone modes of the condensate. This is a model of ??Hamiltonian friction??. It is also of interest in connection with the phenomenon of ??decoherence?? in quantum mechanics. This note is based on work we have carried out in collaboration with D Egli, I M Sigal and A Soffer.     

Measurement of Raman scattering in simple liquids under the influence of high quasi-static electric fields

The vibrational Raman bands of some simple liquids are investigated on the influence of an external electric dc field. Thereby the electric field strength is varied in the range of 0.1 to 1 MV/cm. The experiments demonstrate that Raman intensities and depolarization ratios increase with increasing field strength and — after passing a maximum — decrease with even higher field strengths. In mixtures the field dependence of Raman intensity takes a different course than in pure liquids.     

Optical second-harmonic generation of metal-island films

In metal-island films consisting of nanometer particles on a transparent substrate irradiated light fields can be locally enhanced by electron-plasma resonances. Therefore, nonlinear optical processes should be enhanced dramatically. However, second-order nonlinear processes as second-harmonic generation occuring in the surface are strongly reduced by the centrosymmetric shape of the metal particles. It is found that this surface-specific contribution to second-harmonic generation is less enhanced, as is expected from the field enhancement. The bulk contribution, at smooth metal surfaces known to be much weaker than the contribution from the real surface, is strongly enhanced by the plasma resonances without symmetry restrictions and becomes comparably important.Paper presented at the 129th WE-Heraeus-Seminar on Surface Studies by Nonlinear Laser Spectroscopies, Kassel, Germany, May 30 to June 1, 1994.     

Silver nanowires as surface plasmon resonators

We report on chemically prepared silver nanowires (diameters around 100 nm) sustaining surface plasmon modes with wavelengths shortened to about half the value of the exciting light. As we find by scattered light spectroscopy and near-field optical microscopy, the nonradiating character of these modes together with minimized damping due to the well developed wire crystal structure gives rise to large values of surface plasmon propagation length and nanowire end face reflectivity of about 10 microm and 25%, respectively. We demonstrate that these properties allow us to apply the nanowires as efficient surface plasmon Fabry-Perot resonators.     

Dielectric optical elements for surface plasmons

Basic optical elements for surface plasmons are fabricated and their functionality (focusing, refraction, and total internal reflection) is demonstrated experimentally. The optical elements consist of dielectric structures of defined geometry on top of a gold film. The working principle of these structures is discussed on the basis of calculated surface plasmon dispersion relations.