Time-dependent scattering of ultrathin gold film under potential perturbation

Shifts of the plasmon scattering band of ultrathin gold films under the effect of dynamic applied potential were studied in single wavelength measurements. The effect on scattering of applied potential was ascribed to electronic charging and discharging of the gold film. Scattering transients in response to square-wave potential modulation had an exponential form which depended on the potential step width, the modulation frequency and the nature of the ions. The presence of an AC signal component induced by ±10 mV potential modulated at 2 kHz indicated the capability of very thin gold film to respond to high frequency voltage.