Introduction to Metal-Nanoparticle Plasmonics

Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xi
I.1 Why All the Excitement? xi
I.2 Historical Perspective xiv
I.3 Book Outline xvii
1 Modeling: Understanding Metal-Nanoparticle Plasmons1
1.1 Classical Picture: Solutions of Maxwell's Equations2
1.2 Discrete Plasmon Resonances in Particles 13
1.3 Overview of Numerical Methods 25
1.4 A Model System: Gold Nanorods 31
1.5 Size-Dependent Effects in Small Particles 39
References 46
2 Making: Synthesis and Fabrication of Metal Nanoparticles51
2.1 Top-Down: Lithography 52
2.2 Bottom-Up: Colloidal Synthesis 67
2.3 Self-Assembly and Hybrid Methods 76
2.4 Chemical Assembly 86
References 92
3 Measuring: Characterization of Plasmons in MetalNanoparticles 97
3.1 Ensemble Optical Measurements 97
3.2 Single-Particle Optical Measurements 102
3.3 Electron Microscopy 125
References 132
4 Coupled Plasmons in Metal Nanoparticles 135
4.1 Pairs of Metal Nanoparticles 136
4.2 Understanding Complex Nanostructures Using Coupled Plasmons149
References 161
5 Nonlinear Optical Response of Metal Nanoparticles165
5.1 Review of Optical Nonlinearities 166
5.2 Time-Resolved Spectroscopy 170
5.3 Harmonic Generation 187
References 191
6 Coupling Plasmons in Metal Nanoparticles to Emitters193
6.1 Plasmon-Modified Emission 193
6.2 Plasmon-Emitter Interactions Beyond EmissionEnhancement 210
References 225
7 Some Potential Applications of Plasmonic MetalNanoparticles 229
7.1 Refractive-Index Sensing and Molecular Detection 229
7.2 Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering 233
7.3 Near-Field Microscopy, Photolithography, and Data Storage239
7.4 Photodetectors and Solar Cells 242
7.5 Optical Tweezers 249
7.6 Optical Metamaterials 254
References 266
Index 271