Mapping Local Shape Dependent Electromagnetic Field Enhancements in Single Metallic Nanoparticles Using Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM)
Abstract
The goal of this project was to use novel approaches in super-resolution optical imaging to probe local electromagnetic field enhancements in plasmonic metal nanoparticles. To that end, we have made several important contributions to this goal through the support provided by AFOSR. First, we were the first group to use super-resolution optical imaging to map out the local electromagnetic field intensity of a single-molecule surface enhanced Raman scattering (SM-SERS) hot spot with <1 nm resolution. Second, we were the first to provide a correlation between the size and shape of SM-SERS hot spots and the structure of the underlying nanoparticle. Third, we demonstrated a unique, rapid, all-optical readout for the output polarization of SM-SERS nanoparticles and showed that SERS-active nanoparticle dimers could be discriminated from higher order aggregates without the need for separate structure characterization tools. These accomplishments represent significant forward progress in our understanding of SM-SERS hot spots, which are well-known to be the sites with the strongest electromagnetic enhancement, yet remain quite difficult to fabricate in a rational manner.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 03, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1013084
Entities
People
- Katherine A. Willets
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin