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Strong second-harmonic generation from Au-Al heterodimers.
Jiyong Wang1, Jérémy Butet2, Gabriel David Bernasconi2
1Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. dai.zhang@uni-tuebingen.de and Light, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, University of Technology of Troyes, 12 Rue Marie Curie, CS42060, 10004 Troyes Cedex, France. pierre_michel.adam@utt.fr and Center for Light-Matter-Interaction, Sensors and Analytics (LISA+), Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany and Key Laboratory of 3D Micro/Nano Fabrication and Characterization of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, 310024 Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China and Key Laboratory of 3D Micro/Nano Fabrication and Characterization of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, 310024 Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
This study explores second-harmonic generation (SHG) in aluminum and gold nanostructures. Au-Al heterodimers show enhanced SHG through energy transfer and coupled plasmonics, offering new ways to boost nonlinear optical signals.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Nanophotonics
Background:
- Second-harmonic generation (SHG) is a key nonlinear optical process.
- Plasmonic nanostructures offer unique light-matter interactions for enhancing nonlinear phenomena.
- Understanding SHG in hybrid metal nanostructures is crucial for advanced optical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare SHG in Al monomers, Au monomers, and Au-Al heterodimers.
- To elucidate the mechanisms governing SHG in these plasmonic systems.
- To explore strategies for enhancing far-field SHG radiation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of lithographically defined Al monomers, Au monomers, and Au-Al heterodimers with 20 nm nanogaps.
- Measurement of spectrally integrated SHG intensities.
- Recording and comparison of linear optical responses.
Main Results:
- SHG in monomer nanoantennas strongly correlates with plasmon resonance excitation.
- Au-Al heterodimers exhibit complex SHG behavior influenced by resonant excitation, driving fields, and phase interference.
- Evidence suggests energy transfer from Au to Al nanoparticles in heterodimers, enhancing SHG.
Conclusions:
- The SHG signal in plasmonic monomers is sensitive to linear plasmon resonance.
- Au-Al heterodimers demonstrate enhanced SHG due to coupled plasmonics and inter-particle energy transfer.
- These findings provide pathways for boosting far-field SHG through synergistic material combinations and plasmon coupling.