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Measurement of Scattering Nonlinearities from a Single Plasmonic Nanoparticle
Published on: January 3, 2016
Absolute optical extinction measurements of single nano-objects by spatial modulation spectroscopy using a white lamp
Pierre Billaud1, Salem Marhaba, Nadia Grillet
1Laboratoire de Spectrométrie Ionique et Moléculaire (LASIM), Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR 5579, Bât A. Kastler, 43, bd du 11 novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne cedex, France.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|May 6, 2010
Summary
This study presents a simple, low-cost spectrophotometer for measuring single nanoparticle light extinction. The technique achieves high sensitivity for nanoparticle optical fingerprinting.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics
- Spectroscopy
- Optical characterization
Background:
- Accurate optical characterization of single nanoparticles (NPs) is crucial for understanding their properties.
- Existing methods may lack sensitivity or require complex setups for broadband measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a high-sensitivity, low-cost spectrophotometer for detecting single nanoparticle light extinction.
- To enable broadband (300-900 nm) extinction measurements with high precision.
- To provide a method for determining absolute extinction cross-sections of single NPs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a transmission measurement configuration with a white lamp as a broadband light source.
- Employed a confocal microscope setup with spatial modulation of the NP position and lock-in detection for enhanced sensitivity.
- Developed an experimental procedure using a reference NP to characterize the incident electromagnetic field distribution.
Main Results:
- Achieved high sensitivity for detecting light extinction in the 10(-4)-10(-5) relative range for single NPs.
- Demonstrated access to absolute extinction cross-sections by accurately characterizing the incident light field.
- Validated the technique by comparing experimental results with theoretical calculations and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data.
Conclusions:
- Spatial modulation spectroscopy is a powerful and cost-effective tool for obtaining the optical fingerprint of single nanoparticles.
- The developed method provides accurate absolute extinction measurements consistent with NP size and shape.
- This technique facilitates detailed optical analysis of individual nanoparticles, including gold and silver NPs.
