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Photoabsorption by volume plasmons in metal nanoclusters
Chunlei Xia1, Chunrong Yin, Vitaly V Kresin
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90089-0484, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|June 13, 2009
Summary
Metallic nanoclusters allow direct optical excitation of volume plasmons, unlike bulk metals. This study reveals volume plasmon absorption peaks in sodium nanoclusters, enabled by altered selection rules in finite systems.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Direct photoabsorption of volume plasmons is impossible in bulk metals.
- Collective electronic modes (plasmons) are fundamental to metallic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the optical excitation of volume plasmons in metallic nanoclusters.
- To determine if nanocluster geometry alters plasmon excitation mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Photodepletion measurements were performed on sodium nanoclusters (Na(20) and Na(92)).
- Analysis focused on identifying absorption peaks related to collective electronic excitations.
Main Results:
- A broad volume plasmon absorption peak was observed slightly above 4 eV for sodium nanoclusters.
- This indicates direct optical excitation of volume plasmons is possible in these finite metallic systems.
Conclusions:
- The optical excitation of volume plasmons is feasible in metallic nanoclusters.
- Finite size effects and altered selection rules enable this phenomenon, contrasting with bulk metals.
