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Trapping of Micro Particles in Nanoplasmonic Optical Lattice
Published on: September 5, 2017
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Real-time tunable lasing from plasmonic nanocavity arrays.
Ankun Yang1, Thang B Hoang2, Montacer Dridi3
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
Nature Communications
|April 21, 2015
Summary
Researchers developed tunable lattice plasmon lasers using gold nanoparticle arrays and liquid gain materials. This breakthrough enables real-time wavelength tuning for nanoscale applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
- Photonics and Optics
Background:
- Plasmon nanolasers offer sub-diffraction limit confinement and ultrafast dynamics.
- Existing plasmon nanolasers use solid gain materials, limiting dynamic tuning capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate real-time, tunable lattice plasmon lasing.
- To explore dynamic wavelength tuning by altering the dielectric environment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized optically pumped arrays of gold nanoparticles surrounded by liquid dye gain materials.
- Integrated gold nanoparticle arrays within microfluidic channels for dynamic tuning.
- Employed wavelength-dependent time-resolved experiments to analyze lasing characteristics.
Main Results:
- Achieved tunable lasing emission by varying the dielectric environment of the liquid gain material.
- Observed distinct lifetime characteristics below and above the lasing threshold.
- Demonstrated dynamic tuning of the plasmon lasing wavelength by flowing different refractive index liquid gain materials.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel approach for dynamic tuning of plasmon lasers.
- Tunable lattice plasmon lasers hold promise for real-time enhancement and detection of nanoscale physical and chemical processes.
