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Measurement of Scattering Nonlinearities from a Single Plasmonic Nanoparticle
Published on: January 3, 2016
Multipolar analysis of second-harmonic radiation from gold nanoparticles
Sami Kujala1, Brian K Canfield, Martti Kauranen
1Optics Laboratory, Institute of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland. sami.kujala@tut.fi
Optics Express
|October 30, 2008
Summary
We analyzed second-harmonic generation in L-shaped gold nanoparticles, revealing a dominant chiral symmetry-breaking tensor component. This finding highlights the significant role of multipolar contributions in nonlinear optical responses.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics and Nanophotonics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Noncentrosymmetric nanostructures exhibit unique nonlinear optical properties.
- Second-harmonic generation (SHG) is sensitive to material symmetry and electromagnetic field distribution.
- Understanding multipolar contributions is crucial for advanced nanophotonic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a multipolar tensor analysis of SHG from L-shaped gold nanoparticles.
- To differentiate between dipolar and higher multipolar contributions to the nonlinear response.
- To identify and characterize novel tensor components influencing SHG.
Main Methods:
- Multipolar tensor analysis of second-harmonic radiation.
- Separation of nonlinear response tensors into symmetric (dipolar) and antisymmetric (multipolar) parts.
- Analysis of reflected and transmitted SHG signals.
Main Results:
- A previously unresolved tensor component dominates the nonlinear response.
- This component is linked to chiral symmetry breaking and strong multipolar effects.
- Asymmetric defects on nanoparticles induce both dipolar and quadrupolar SHG.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the complex multipolar nature of SHG in L-shaped nanoparticles.
- Chiral symmetry breaking plays a key role in enhancing nonlinear optical signals.
- The findings offer insights for designing nanostructures with tailored nonlinear optical functionalities.
