Investigation of resonant properties of metal core–shell nanoparticles using T-matrix calculations

Using T-matrix method, plasmon resonance properties of metal core–shell nanoparticles are systematically investigated. It is shown that dielectric/metal core–shell structure may be excited stronger at resonance than metal/dielectric and hetero-metal ones, but the resonance states are extremely sensible to the layers thickness. For three-layer nanospheres, resonance properties will be dominated by a sub-10 nm silver outermost shell, while only weakened by a silica one. Finally, tiny eccentric distance between the centers of core and shell in eccentric two-layer nanoparticles may fundamentally change the resonance mode of nanoparticles, and results in higher local electrical field enhancement than concentric nanospheres.