Au nanoparticle based localized surface plasmon resonance substrates fabricated by dynamic shadowing growth

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Optics

Background:

• Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), a phenomenon sensitive to their size, shape, and surrounding environment.
• Tuning LSPR properties is crucial for applications in sensing, photonics, and catalysis.
• Existing fabrication methods may lack uniformity and reproducibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the fabrication of Au NP substrates and related structures using glancing angle deposition (GLAD) and oblique angle deposition (OAD).
• To evaluate the uniformity, reproducibility, and tunability of LSPR properties achieved by these methods.
• To demonstrate GLAD as a versatile technique for fabricating tunable LSPR substrates.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Au nanoparticle (NP) substrates, Au NP/TiO(2)/Au NP sandwich structures, and Ti coated Au NP substrates.
• Utilized glancing angle deposition (GLAD) and oblique angle deposition (OAD) techniques.
• Systematically varied film thickness, deposition angle, and dielectric/metallic coatings (TiO(2), Ti).

Main Results:

• GLAD produced more uniform and reproducible Au NP substrates compared to OAD under identical deposition conditions.
• LSPR wavelength was effectively tuned by adjusting film thickness, deposition angle, and TiO(2)/Ti coatings.
• Ti coating thickness and deposition angle also influenced the LSPR wavelength.

Conclusions:

• GLAD is a highly versatile and reproducible technique for fabricating gold nanoparticle substrates.
• The LSPR properties of these substrates can be precisely tuned through controlled deposition parameters and material coatings.
• This work highlights GLAD's potential for producing customized LSPR substrates for various optical applications.