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Ultraconfined Plasmonic Hotspots Inside Graphene Nanobubbles
Z Fei1,2,3, J J Foley2,4, W Gannett5,6
1Department of Physics, University of California, San Diego , La Jolla, California 92093, United States.
Nano Letters
|December 15, 2016
Summary
We demonstrate ultraconfined plasmonic hotspots within graphene nanobubbles, millions of times smaller than free-space photons. Their distribution is controlled by nanobubble geometry, enabling new plasmon-enhanced infrared spectroscopy applications.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Nanophotonics
Background:
- Graphene plasmons offer unique light-matter interactions for nanoscale applications.
- Controlling plasmonic fields at the nanoscale is crucial for advanced spectroscopy.
- Graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) heterostructures enable novel electronic and optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ultraconfined plasmonic hotspots within graphene nanobubbles.
- To understand the formation and spatial distribution of these nanoscale hotspots.
- To explore the potential of graphene nanobubbles for plasmon-enhanced infrared (IR) spectroscopy.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing nanoinfrared (IR) imaging to probe plasmonic hotspots.
- Fabricating graphene/hBN heterostructures with controlled nanobubble formation.
- Performing theoretical analysis to explain the observed plasmonic phenomena.
Main Results:
- Observed plasmonic hotspots with volumes millions of times smaller than free-space IR photons.
- Demonstrated control over hotspot real-space distribution via nanobubble size and shape.
- Identified significant local plasmon wavelength increase in nanobubble regions due to dielectric environment sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Graphene nanobubbles host ultraconfined plasmonic hotspots with tunable properties.
- The dielectric environment of graphene nanobubbles strongly influences graphene plasmon behavior.
- This work introduces a novel method for plasmonic hotspot generation with potential for plasmon-enhanced IR spectroscopy.
