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Quantized Evolution of the Plasmonic Response in a Stretched Nanorod
Tuomas P Rossi1, Asier Zugarramurdi1, Martti J Puska1
1COMP Centre of Excellence, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science, P.O. Box 11100, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland.
Physical Review Letters
|December 20, 2015
Summary
Quantum tunneling in metallic nanoparticle dimers causes surprising changes in their plasmonic response. Stretching a nanorod reveals discrete conduction channels influencing light interactions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Plasmonics
- Quantum mechanics
Background:
- Electron tunneling is key to understanding nanoscale plasmonic systems.
- Conductively coupled metallic nanoparticle dimers exhibit unique optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate quantum effects on the plasmonic response of a conductively coupled metallic nanoparticle dimer.
- To understand how stretching a nanorod and forming an atomic contact influences plasmonic behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing first-principles time-dependent density-functional-theory (TD-DFT) calculations.
- Simulating the stretching of a nanorod to form an atomic-sized junction.
- Analyzing the evolution of the plasmonic response.
Main Results:
- Observed discontinuous changes in the plasmonic response as the nanorod is stretched.
- Found that the intensity of the main charge-transfer plasmon mode is particularly affected.
- Correlated these discontinuities with the discrete nature of conduction channels in the atomic junction.
Conclusions:
- Quantum effects, specifically electron tunneling through discrete conduction channels, significantly impact the plasmonic response of nanoparticle dimers.
- The formation and evolution of atomic contacts play a critical role in tuning plasmonic properties at the quantum level.
