Abstract
In nano-optics, a formidable challenge remains in precise transport of a single optical nano-object along a programmed and routed path toward a predefined destination. Molecular motors in living cells that can walk directionally along microtubules have been the inspiration for realizing artificial molecular walkers. Here we demonstrate an active plasmonic system, in which a plasmonic nanorod can execute directional, progressive and reverse nanoscale walking on two or three-dimensional DNA origami. Such a walker comprises an anisotropic gold nanorod as its ‘body' and discrete DNA strands as its ‘feet'. Specifically, our walker carries optical information and can in situ optically report its own walking directions and consecutive steps at nanometer accuracy, through dynamic coupling to a plasmonic stator immobilized along its walking track. Our concept will enable a variety of smart nanophotonic platforms for studying dynamic light–matter interaction, which requires controlled motion at the nanoscale well below the optical diffraction limit.
Highlights
In nano-optics, a formidable challenge remains in precise transport of a single optical nano-object along a programmed and routed path toward a predefined destination
Agold nanoparticle that can walk along a prescriptive track is an active plasmonic system, which mimics the directional movement of naturally occurring molecular motors
We demonstrate an active plasmonic system, in which a gold nanorod can perform stepwise walking directionally and progressively on DNA origami
Summary
In nano-optics, a formidable challenge remains in precise transport of a single optical nano-object along a programmed and routed path toward a predefined destination. Agold nanoparticle that can walk along a prescriptive track is an active plasmonic system, which mimics the directional movement of naturally occurring molecular motors Such a walker works as a walking element to carry out mechanical motion and as an optical reporter, which can deliver its own translocation information through optical spectroscopy in real time. This may leverage the scope of synthetic molecular machinery[1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. Locomotion on the order of several nanometres, which is far below the optical resolution limit, can be optically discriminated in real time
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