AVS 60th International Symposium and Exhibition
    Thin Film Wednesday Sessions
       Session TF+AS+BI+EM+SE+SS-WeA

Invited Paper TF+AS+BI+EM+SE+SS-WeA1
Enhanced Multiphoton Processes for Molecule Localization on Plasmonic Nanostructures

Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 2:00 pm, Room 104 A

Session: Applications of Self-Assembled Monolayers and Nano-Structured Assemblies
Presenter: J. Shumaker-Parry, University of Utah
Correspondent: Click to Email
Plasmonic nanostructures produce enhanced optical near fields as a result of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs). Tailoring of the nanostructure size, shape, and inter-structure spacing provides tuning of the LSPR properties including the near field behavior. We use two approaches to produce plasmonic architectures with enhanced fields. First, we have developed an asymmetric functionalization process to create nanoparticle assemblies by controlling the localization of molecules on the surface of the nanoparticles. The spatial localization of the molecules on the Janus-like particles lead to controlled assembly and direction of molecules into regions of enhanced near fields, a process that can be monitored through enhanced spectroscopy. The second approach we use is based on nanosphere template lithography to fabricate uniquely-shaped plasmonic nanoantennas. One example is the nanocrescent which exhibits polarization dependent LSPR responses across a broad spectral range, from the visible through the mid-infrared regions. Simulations of the LSPR response predict localized, inhomogeneous near fields around the nanocrescent antennas. We mapped the local fields of nanocrescents through an enhanced multiphoton photo-polymerization process. Local cross-linking of a photopolymer provides evidence of the near field behavior and confirms the predicted polarization-depend enhanced fields. Localized photopolymerization can be used to spatially localize molecules at the nanoscale through these enhanced fields created by the plasmonic nanoantennas.