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Sub-diffraction-limit localization imaging of a plasmonic nanoparticle pair with wavelength-resolved dark-field
Lin Wei1, Yanhong Ma, Xupeng Zhu
1Key Laboratory of Phytochemical R&D of Hunan Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan 410081, China. lehuixiao@163.com.
Nanoscale
|June 16, 2017
Summary
Wavelength-resolved dark-field microscopy accurately localizes gold nanoparticle pairs when gap distances exceed 20 nm. This optical method shows good correlation with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for precise nanoparticle imaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics
- Nanophotonics
- Optical Microscopy
Background:
- Plasmonic coupling in nanoparticle pairs significantly influences optical scattering.
- Accurate localization of nanoparticles is crucial for advanced imaging techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare center-of-mass localization of gold nanoparticle pairs using wavelength-resolved dark-field microscopy with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements.
- To investigate the effect of gap distance on the accuracy of optical localization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized wavelength-resolved dark-field microscopy to analyze nanoparticle pairs (spherical and rod-shaped gold nanoparticles).
- Employed Gaussian fitting for optical coordinate determination.
- Validated optical measurements against scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data.
Main Results:
- Optical localization accuracy was compromised for gap distances < 20 nm due to strong plasmonic coupling.
- Good correlation between optical and SEM measurements was achieved for gap distances of 20, 40, and 60 nm.
- Distinct scattering peaks corresponding to individual nanoparticles were observed at larger gap distances.
Conclusions:
- Wavelength-resolved dark-field microscopy is a viable tool for nanoparticle localization when plasmonic coupling effects are minimized.
- The findings support the application of optical microscopy for super-localization imaging and high-precision particle tracking.
