Local Electrical Detection of Single Nanoparticle Plasmon Resonance

Abstract

We developed a technique for the local electrical detection of a plasmon resonance in a single metal nanoparticle. A gold nanoparticle is coupled to a GaAs photodetector placed in the particle's near field. Light scattered by the particle is coupled into the semiconductor cavity of the photodetector, providing efficient transduction. Strong multipolar resonances were recorded in the 650-920 nm wavelength range. This local detection technique allows the construction of sensitive nanoscale bioprobes and arrays thereof.