Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
09:33
Monitoring Conformational Dynamics of Single Unmodified Proteins using Plasmonic Nanotweezers
Published on: March 21, 2025
1.0K
Optical control of single-atom dynamics in plasmonic nanogaps
Paul Kerner1, Rakesh Arul1, Damien Thompson2
1Nanophotonics Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0US, England, UK.
Science Advances
|July 18, 2025
Summary
Researchers optically control single metal atoms at room temperature using plasmonic nanogaps. This breakthrough enables stable atomic manipulation for potential applications in microelectronics and catalysis.
Area of Science:
- Surface science
- Plasmonics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Conventional atomic-scale techniques are invasive for observing single atoms in ambient conditions.
- Controlling atom dynamics at the nanoscale is crucial for advanced technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a non-invasive method for observing and controlling single atom dynamics at ambient conditions.
- To demonstrate optical writing and reading of single adatoms using plasmonic nanogaps.
Main Methods:
- Confining visible light pulses within extreme plasmonic nanogaps to create adatoms.
- Utilizing low-intensity surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to observe adatoms.
- Employing higher optical intensities to stabilize adatoms via light-induced restructuring.
Main Results:
- Single adatoms can be created ('written') and stored for over a week in ambient conditions.
- Adatom stability is enhanced by light-induced local restructuring at higher optical intensities.
- Low-intensity SERS spectra reveal adatom movement influenced by light and thermal energy.
Conclusions:
- Optical control of single metal atom dynamics is achievable in ambient conditions.
- This technique offers a non-invasive approach for atomic manipulation.
- Potential applications include next-generation microelectronics, atomic-scale imaging, and catalysis.
