Acousto-Plasmonic Interaction for Unconventional Nanoscale Light Manipulation and Integrated High Accuracy Sensors
Abstract
Acoustic Raman scattering, an optical spectroscopy technique used to probe acoustic vibrations in nanomaterials, has been shown to be an effective, high precision, non-invasive technique for nanometrology. However, the effectiveness of acoustic Raman scattering for nanometrology and sensing is tied to the knowledge of the photon-electron-vibration interaction mechanism. To date, no comprehensive and rigorous theory is available to describe the interaction mechanisms governing the acoustic Raman scattering process. While it may not seem straightforward to couple acoustic waves to light, the properties of the localized surface plasmons (LSPs), which are collective oscillations of the conduction electrons sustained by optically-excited metallicnanostructures, and their coupling to vibrations offer a unique platform for unconventional light manipulation pathways. LSPs can be temporally modulated by acoustic vibrations naturally present in nanomaterials and their environment. Reciprocally, plasmon-induced optical forces, in turn, act onto the nanomaterials surface and affect the vibrations. Such acousto-plasmonic platforms show great potential for monitoring and sensing structural and environmental changes such as vibrations and electromagnetic fields in naval devices and materials. The project objectives are to explore (i) the effects of acoustic vibrations on the LSPs in the context of acoustic Raman scattering RS, (ii) plasmonic optical force effects on the nanoparticle vibrational properties, and (iii) plasmon-driven vibrational transfer between mechanically isolated nanoparticles. Our approach consists of a unique combination of classical and quantum methods which will enable us to rigorously compute acoustic Raman scattering spectra. We will calculate the plasmonic fields and photothermal heating using classical electrodynamics and heattransfer methods and combine them self-consistently with vibrational calculations viaperturbation and quantum field theories.The expected outcome of this project include a deeper fundamental understanding of the plasmon-vibration interactions, a new computational tool for the modeling of acoustic Raman scattering, and the foundational principle for the development of novel quantum sensing platforms for acoustic and mechanical vibrations, and electromagnetic fields. Such high accuracyplasmonic sensors can easily be integrated and deployed into naval combat gears (tactical vests, pilot helmets), naval structural materials (ships, aircrafts), and sensitive electronic systems (navigation, metrology), to assist in real-time decision making in complex environments; thus, providing increased safety and tactical advantage to our warfighters.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112729
Entities
People
- Nicolas Large
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Texas at San Antonio