Silver nanoparticles dispersed within amphiphilic star-block copolymers as templates for plasmon band materials

Formation of silver nanoparticles has been developed based on a template technique. Amphiphilic star-block copolymers employed as single molecule template, utilizing the coordination of Ag⁺ ions with carboxyl groups in the core of the star-block copolymer. Silver nanoparticles have been prepared by the addition of chemical reductant, e.g., NaBH₄. The solution of the resultant nanosphere composites showed yellow due to the surface plasmon resonance. These composites were soluble in organic solvents, because hydrophobic corona of the star-block copolymer protected the fabricated silver nanoparticles from aggregation.     

Template functions of particle monolayers on hydrophobic solid substrates

The template function of cationic particle monolayers bearing quaternary ammonium groups on their surfaces towards anionic colloids was investigated in this paper. Monodispersed cationic polymer particles having quaternary ammonium groups were self-organized on octadecylated glass plates through hydrophobic interaction. The morphology of the resulting particle monolayers was changed by tuning hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance of particles to fabricate aggregated type and dispersed type of particle monolayers. Gold and silver colloids were selectively deposited onto the particle monolayers through electrostatic interaction. The deposited gold and silver colloids on particle monolayers showed plasmon absorbance. Fluorescent silica colloids were also selectively deposited on particle monolayers to permit fluorescence labeling of the particle monolayers. Cationic particle monolayers fabricated on hydrophobic solid octadecylated were found to effectively work as templates for the deposition of above mentioned inorganic colloids.     

Quantum theory for plasmon-assisted local field enhancement

We applied quantum theory for nonlocal response and plasmon-assisted field enhancement near a small metallic nanoscale antenna in the limit of weak incoming fields. A simple asymmetric bio-inspired design of the nanoantenna for polarization-resolved measurement is proposed. The spatial field intensity distribution was calculated for different field frequencies and polarizations. We have shown that the proposed design the antenna allows us to resolve the polarization of incoming photons.     

TiO2 photocatalysis for the degradation of pollutants in gas phase: From morphological design to plasmonic enhancement

TiO₂-based photocatalysis has become a viable technology in various application fields such as (waste)water purification, photovoltaics/artificial photosynthesis, environmentally friendly organic synthesis and remediation of air pollution. Because of the increasing impact of bad air quality worldwide, this review focuses on the use and optimization of TiO₂-based photocatalysts for gas phase applications. Over the past years various specific aspects of TiO₂ photocatalysis have been reviewed individually. The intent of this review is to offer a broad tutorial on (recent) trends in TiO₂ photocatalyst modification for the intensification of photocatalytic air treatment. After briefly introducing the fundamentals of photocatalysis, TiO₂ photocatalyst modification is discussed both on a morphological and an electronic level from the perspective of gas phase applications. The main focus is laid on recent developments, but also possible opportunities to the field. This review is intended as a solid introduction for researchers new to the field, as well as a summarizing update for established investigators.     

All-optical active components for dielectric-loaded plasmonic waveguides

Dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides (DLSPPWs) provide a very efficient means to localize and guide optical signal, which makes them a promising candidate for the construction of highly-integrated photonic circuits. Here, we present full 3D numerical modelling of highly efficient and compact all-optical active DLSPPW components to achieve a fully functioning active photonic circuit.     

Immunosensor for the Measurement of Human Serum Albumin in Urine Based on the Spreeta Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor

The application of SPR for measurement of the concentration of human serum albumin (HSA) in urine was studied using the compact integrated SPR sensing system Spreeta. HSA was immobilized via cystamine and glutaraldehyde onto the gold sensing area and a competitive assay for HSA was developed using a limited amount of the monoclonal antibody AL-01 in solution. Measurements were carried out in the flow-through mode and the interaction between immobilized HSA and antibody was observed in real time. To obtain reproducible results, different conditions of the measurement (method of immobilization of HSA, data evaluation, concentration of antibody, regeneration procedure) were tested. The calibration curve for clinically relevant concentrations of HSA in urine samples was constructed using 300-times diluted antibody in the form of ascites fluid. The measuring range was between 0.1 and 5 mg/l of HSA, the sensing surface was successfully regenerated and suitable for more than 20 assays. The developed method was tested on real samples of urine; to overcome the non-specific adsorption of urine components, the differential approach was adopted and the measured signal was corrected by subtraction of the response observed in the absence of the antibody.     

Low Temperature Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence

In this short letter, we describe the effects of low temperature on the Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF) phenomenon. Fluorophores close to Silver Island Films (SiFs) show on average two- to ten-fold enhancements in their fluorescence signatures at room temperature. However, at 77 K, we have observed that MEF is even more pronounced as compared to an identical glass control sample. We also demonstrate that the further enhancements in MEF occur at low temperature over a range of visible wavelengths for different fluorophores, for both SiFs and 20 nm surface deposited gold colloids.     

Spectral analysis on a phonon spectral function of a solid-state plasma in a doped semiconductor

We report an analysis on a phonon spectral function of a solid-state plasma formed in a doped semiconductor. Real and imaginary parts of phonon propagators are evaluated including carrier screening effects within a random phase approximation, and finite-temperature spectral behavior of the phonon spectral function is examined in terms of plasmon-phonon coupled modes and quasiparticle excitation mode of the plasma. The results are applied to the case of conduction electrons in a wurtzite GaN considering carrier-phonon coupling channel via polar optical phonons. We show that the dispersion relations of the plasmon-LO phonon coupled (‘upper’ and ‘lower’) modes and the character of the additional modes via single quasiparticle excitations are heavily associated with the nonlocal and dynamic behavior of the energy shift and collisional broadening of the dressed phonon propagator of the plasma.     

彩色表面等离子体共振成像初探

自主设计并建立了彩色表面等离子共振成像(Color SPRI, CSPRI)实验系统, 并结合利用自己编制的软件开展了相关研究, 成功地观测到溶液和蛋白点阵的彩色图像. 这些结果显示, CSPRI有可能成为生物分子微点阵(或生物芯片)的一种新型的彩色显示手段.     

表面等离子体共振成像生物芯片检测系统

根据表面等离子体共振(Surface Plasmon Resonance, SPR)原理,提出基于表面等离子体共振成像(Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging, SPRI)的生物芯片检测系统构建方法.介绍了SPRI生物芯片检测系统的原理、自行组建的SPRI生物芯片检测系统的结构.采用Kretschmann型棱镜耦合结构激励SPR,偏振的平行光经棱镜投射到生物芯片上,发生表面等离子体共振,由CCD摄像机采集反射光芯片图像.以巯基修饰淋病奈瑟氏菌探针为例验证该系统,利用自组装单分子层技术(Self-Assembled Monolayer,SAM)固定探针.应用该检测系统采集了探针共振、非探针处共振、探针和非探针处都不共振时的生物芯片图像.