Articles tagged with Plasmonics
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a technique to analyze the energies of 'hot' electrons, which could lead to more efficient energy conversion in solar panels and other applications. The method uses a scanning tunneling microscope integrated with lasers and optical components.
Scientists create magneto-plasmonic nanoantennas with hybrid high-order multi-polar dark modes, enabling unprecedented control of light polarization. The resulting amplification enhances the magneto-optical activity, overcoming previous limitations and opening new avenues for nanophotonic applications.
Researchers developed plasmonic metasurfaces that can be tuned with polarization light, providing efficient saturable absorption for ultrafast lasers. The metasurfaces achieved stable self-starting ultrashort laser pulse generation with a modulation depth of up to 60%, outperforming previous studies.
Researchers found that molecule-plasmon coupling strength affects SEIRA spectral lineshapes, which are crucial for molecular detection. The study revealed how coupling distance, molecular density, and plasmon loss impact spectral profiles.
Scientists developed a new method to investigate plasmonic activity during tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. This enables real-time optimization of experimental conditions, improving the usability of TERS for biological samples.
Researchers developed a new plasmonic color-mixing approach using silver nanorods to create 2,456 unique colors with smooth transitions between hues and tones. This method has potential applications in new types of paint, electronic displays and anti-counterfeiting measures.
Scientists develop an all-optical switch operating in the femtosecond range with low energy consumption, breaking the trade-off between switching speed and energy. The device uses a nanoscale waveguide based on plasmonics and graphene to control optical signals.
A team of researchers has fabricated silver nanoparticles that can rapidly change color in response to moisture, enabling fast and reversible switching of plasmonic color in solids. This technology holds promise for applications in product authentication, information encryption, and sensing.
Researchers proposed a new type of plasmonic surface lattice resonance (SLR) supported by metal-insulator-metal arrays, which exhibit higher quality factors in less symmetric dielectric environments. This allows for diverse applications, including ultrasensitive sensing and nanolasers.
Researchers from NTU Singapore and Niels Bohr Institute devise method to create magnetism in non-magnetic metallic disks using linearly polarised light. They found that intense plasmonic oscillating electric fields can modify the dynamics of electrons in the metal, leading to spontaneous magnetisation.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new way to create complex structures in thin films using self-assembling block copolymers. The method produces novel patterns that deviate from regular symmetries, exhibiting interlocking areas with regular patterns similar to quasicrystals.
Researchers at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research have developed black (nano)gold that can catalyze CO2 conversion to methane at atmospheric pressure and temperature, utilizing solar energy. The material exhibits significant effects on purification of seawater, protein unfolding, and chemical reactions.
A research team at the Fritz-Haber Institute in Berlin demonstrated manipulation of nanolight spectrum by shaping plasmonic gold tips with a focused ion beam milling technique. The spectral response was investigated using scanning tunneling luminescence, revealing precise control over Fabry-Pérot type interference of surface plasmon po...
A novel framework has been developed to systematically compare optical sensors, enabling the creation of a technology map that tracks developments in this rapidly growing industry. The map provides a comprehensive benchmark for standardizing optical refractive index sensors with plasmonic and photonic structures.
Theoretical approach uses layers formed by liquids to arrange nanoparticles into unique structures for optics, plasmonics and electronics applications. By controlling nanoparticle properties, researchers can create exotic arrangements, such as strings or sheets, with potential benefits in multi-stage chemical catalysis.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a frequency-tunable plasmonic-based THz device for non-invasive biological imaging. The new device shows improved ability to distinguish between different tissues, opening up possibilities for enhanced diagnostic imaging tools.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a new method to create porous envelopes around light-powered aluminum nanocatalysts using pseudomorphic replacement. This process enables the creation of greener catalysts that use solar energy and are made from abundant metals, reducing energy burden and environmental impact. The study demo...
Rice University researchers have created a new catalyst that can convert ammonia into hydrogen fuel at ambient pressure using light energy, significantly lowering the activation barrier. The catalyst, made of copper with trace amounts of ruthenium, uses plasmonic effects to enhance its efficiency.
Researchers developed new magneto-plasmonic nanoscale routers and modulators for various nanophotonic functionalities. The devices exploit the propagation of surface-plasmon-polaritons in magneto-plasmonic waveguides to achieve high-contrast switching.
A new patch developed at Washington University in St. Louis increases fluorescence intensity by 100 times, making it easier to visualize and diagnose low-abundance analytes. The plasmonic patch is a cheap fix that can be applied to existing diagnostic tests without requiring any protocol changes.
A team at TUM has succeeded in generating ultrashort electric pulses on a chip using tiny plasmonic antennas, operating above the surface and reading them in again. This breakthrough closes the terahertz gap, enabling frequencies up to 10 terahertz.
Researchers have developed a novel cryogenic near-field optical microscope to study graphene plasmons at variable temperatures. They discovered that compact nanolight can travel along the surface of graphene without unwanted scattering, opening up new applications in sensors, imaging, and signal processing.
Rice University researchers have synthesized and isolated plasmonic magnesium nanoparticles that show promise with all the benefits of their gold and silver cousins. The particles proved to be unexpectedly robust and can concentrate light in nanoscale volumes, useful for chemical and biological sensors.
Researchers created a tiny electro-optic modulator that translates electrical signals into light at speeds 10s of times faster than current technologies. The device uses plasmonics and has the potential to integrate photonics and electronics on a single chip, revolutionizing information technology.
Purdue researchers design a compact switch that enables reliable confinement of light to small computer chip components, bypassing unwanted absorption of photons using surface plasmons. The development paves the way for hybrid photonic and electronic nanocircuitry, potentially leading to faster information processing in supercomputers.
A team of researchers has successfully combined carefully structured light with metal nanostructures to alter the properties of generated light at the nanometer scale. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in photonics, such as frequency conversion of light and optical processing.
Aalto University researchers have developed a new method called DALI (DNA-assisted lithography) to fabricate precise metallic nanostructures with designed plasmonic properties. The technique uses self-assembled DNA origami shapes as 'stencils' to create millions of fully metallic nanostructures. These structures have intriguing optical...
A new imaging technique allows for true 3D imaging at the nanoscale with a resolution of 30nm. This breakthrough has potential applications in fields like materials science, physics, and medicine.
A team of scientists used supercomputers to explore the optical properties of plasmonic nanovesicles, which could lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and studying the nervous system. The researchers designed golden nanopills that can be triggered by laser light to release drugs or molecules.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that borophene, a two-dimensional boron material, can emit visible and near-infrared light by activating its plasmons. This property makes it a promising candidate for plasmonic and photonic devices such as biomolecule sensors, waveguides, nanoscale light harvesters, and nanoantennas.
Researchers from National University of Singapore invented a novel converter that can harness the speed and small size of plasmons for high frequency data processing and transmission. The converter has an efficiency of over 10% and can potentially make microprocessor chips work 1,000 times faster.
Researchers in Japan have developed a wavelength-selective plasmonic metamaterial absorber to enhance the generation of spin currents from heat produced in the mid-infrared regime. The unique combination enables stronger light absorption and shows excellent tenability of these metamaterials' resonance wavelengths.
Researchers from Aalto University Finland have developed a method to assemble metal-protein superlattice wires using viruses and nanoparticles. The study demonstrates that combining native Tobacco Mosaic Virus with gold nanoparticles can lead to high-aspect-ratio superlattice wires with controlled optical properties.
Researchers develop 'dip-and-dry' approach for selective solar absorbers, exhibiting high performance and durability. The new method yields highly efficient SSAs with contrasting optical properties for solar and thermal radiation.
A new plasmonic sensor developed by researchers at the University of Illinois has been proven reliable to detect biomarkers for many forms of cancer, including lung and prostate cancers. The device uses a combination of plasmonic sensing and optical cavity properties to detect lower concentrations of biomarkers.
Scientists create programmable nanostructures using pH-sensitive DNA locks to control the optical properties of plasmonic metamolecules. This technology has potential applications in sensors, optical switches, and phase shifters with tailored functionalities.
Researchers developed a microscale modulator using plasmonically active gold components, demonstrating fast operation for ultra-broadband signals. The device features compact size and significantly wide bandwidth, supporting higher volume of information flow.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a plasmonic nanolaser that operates at visible light frequencies and uses dark lattice modes, allowing for ultrafast and tiny coherent light sources. The nanolaser uses silver nanoparticles arranged in a periodic array, which radiate in unison to produce high-intensity laser light.
Scientists created a nanosensor design that combines three-dimensional plasmonic nanoparticles with exceptional points, enabling enhanced sensitivity and smaller size. The new technology has the potential to revolutionize portable health monitoring and security applications.
Researchers at Boston College have developed a nanoscale wireless communication system that operates at visible wavelengths using surface plasmons with unprecedented control. The device achieves in-plane configuration and enables high-speed communication, potentially speeding up transmission by up to 60%.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing new hybrid materials that use light to detect chemical warfare agents. The team, led by J. Karl Johnson, is exploring the use of multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with plasmonic cores to selectively transport toxic chemicals for detection and neutralization.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for uniting light-harvesting photonic nanomaterials with high-efficiency metal catalysts. The 'antenna-reactor' design produces a significant improvement in selectivity, turning a poison into a valuable commodity and offering potential energy savings and improved efficiency.
Plasmonic lasers use metal films to confine light energy and have potential applications in integrated optics and ultrafast digital processing. The researchers developed a scheme that emits radiation at extremely long wavelengths with a narrow beam divergence angle of just 4 degrees, the narrowest achieved for such terahertz lasers.
Researchers from MIPT have experimentally demonstrated that copper nanophotonic components can operate successfully in photonic devices, outperforming gold-based components. The discovery enables the development of energy-efficient light sources, ultra-sensitive sensors, and high-performance optoelectronic processors.
Researchers from MIPT have found a solution to efficiently cool optoelectronic chips using industry-standard heatsinks, enabling the development of high-performance microprocessors. By compensating for heat loss with additional energy pumping, scientists can create optical gain and overcome temperature-related issues.
Researchers at Rice University have created nanoparticles that can function as both catalysts and plasmonic sensors. These tiny octopods, composed of gold and palladium, enhance chemical reactions while retaining their optical properties. This breakthrough may lead to more efficient industrial processes and sun-driven chemical reactions.
MIPT researchers have developed a new method to eliminate energy losses of surface plasmons in optical devices, paving the way for high-performance optoelectronic chips. By pumping extra energy into surface plasmon polaritons, they can compensate for propagation losses and increase integration density.
Researchers at KIT created a 12.5-micrometer-long Mach-Zehnder modulator that converts digital signals into optical signals at speeds of up to 108 gigabits per second, promising a solution for data centers' power consumption and speed limits.
Berkeley Lab researchers have generated and detected plasmons with one of the strongest confinement factors ever, confining photon energy to a spatial dimension smaller than its wavelength. This breakthrough enables novel plasmonic devices with extraordinary sub-wavelength confinement.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to incorporate light-capturing nanomaterials into solar panels, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This breakthrough could help meet the US goal of reducing solar electricity costs to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new way to measure electrical transport properties of nanomaterials and structures at high frequencies. The technique produces unique optical signatures that can be used to identify the conductance of nanowires and other electronic components.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a low-cost sensor that can detect and analyze a wide range of gases using optical technology and nanocomposite thin-films. The sensor is highly sensitive, fast, and portable, making it suitable for applications in environmental monitoring, airport security, and industrial uses.
Researchers developed a nanoscale speed bump called a plasmonic phase modulator to regulate plasmon waves, enabling faster data processing. The device uses a tiny gap in metal wires to slow down plasmons, allowing for selective cancellation and optical switching.
A team of researchers has developed a new method, laser shock imprinting, to create large-area patterns of three-dimensional nanoshapes from metal sheets. This technique enables the mass production of innovative materials with engineered surfaces that control light, potentially revolutionizing high-speed electronics, advanced sensors, ...
A team from the University of Illinois developed a novel, tunable nanoantenna that enables plasmonic field enhancement to actuate mechanical motion. The researchers demonstrated tunability down to 5nm and showed that an electron beam can be used to deform individual p-BNAs or groups with velocities as large as 60 nm/s.
The researchers developed a promising hybrid nanoobject for efficient two-photon fluorescence probes using gold nanoshells. The nanoshell acts as an optical antenna, enhancing the fluorescence intensity and stability of fluorescent emitters.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed hot nanoparticles that can kill tumour tissue with heat by absorbing near-infrared light. The particles are coated with a silicon dioxide layer and aggregate in a way that allows them to absorb light and generate heat.
University of Utah engineers create microscopic structures that use light in metals to carry information, controlling electrical conductivity with an inexpensive inkjet printer. The technique could lead to rapid fabrication of superfast components and faster wireless technology.
The researchers developed a theoretical model that explains macroscale fluid convection induced by plasmonic nanostructures. They found that the ITO layer is critical for distributing thermal energy and creating fluid convection, enabling new applications in lab-on-a-chip environments.
Transformation optics tackles challenges in plasmonic devices by transforming complex structures into canonical ones, facilitating accurate modeling and design. This enables the development of efficient light-harvesting nanostructures with strong near-field enhancements.