Quasi-Random Multimetallic Nanoparticle Arrays

This paper describes a nanofabrication procedure that can generate multiscale substrates with quasi-random microregions of nanoparticle arrays having different periodicities and metals. We combine cycles of large-area nanoparticle array fabrication with solvent-assisted wrinkle lithography to mask and etch quasi-random areas of prefabricated nanoparticles to control the fill factors of the arrays. The approach is highly flexible, and parameters, including nanoparticle size and material, array geometry, and fill factor, can be tailored independently. Multimetallic nanoparticle arrays can support surface lattice resonances at fill factors as low as 20% and can function as nanoscale cavities for lasing action with as few as 10% of the nanoparticles in an array. We demonstrated that multimetallic nanoparticle substrates that combine two or three arrays with different periodicities can exhibit lasing responses over visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Our work showcases the robust optical responses of multimetallic and periodic devices for broadband light manipulation.