Optical properties of transparent copper nanorod and nanowire arrays embedded in anodic alumina oxide

Transparent copper nanorod/nanowire arrays and anodic alumina oxide composite films have been prepared by alternating current electrodeposition, and their linear optical properties have been systematically characterized by absorption spectra. In the experimental spectra, there exist transverse and longitudinal resonance peaks, which are caused by the surface-plasmon resonance along the diameter and the length of the copper nanorods, respectively. The transverse resonance peak is affected by the diameter and aspect ratio of the nanorod. The longitudinal resonance peak appears at longer wavelength when a polarized light illuminates the film with an angle of incidence of about 70 degrees , where the angle is defined with respect to the surface normal. Moreover, the longitudinal resonance mode is sensitive to the polarization direction when compared with the transverse resonance mode.