Plasmon Transmission Research Articles

Preparation, characterization, and antibacterial activity of γ-irradiated silver nanoparticles in aqueous gelatin

Colloidal silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were obtained through γ-irradiation of aqueous solutions containing AgNO3 and gelatin as a silver source and stabilizer, respectively. The absorbed dose of γ-irradiation influences the particle diameter of the Ag-NPs, as evidenced from surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. When the γ-irradiation dose was increased (from 2 to 50 kGy), the mean particle size was decreased continuously as a result of γ-induced Ag-NPs fragmentation. The antibacterial properties of the Ag-NPs were tested against Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (Gram-positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a) (Gram-negative) bacteria. This approach reveals that the γ-irradiation-mediated method is a promising simple route for synthesizing highly stable Ag-NPs in aqueous solutions with good antibacterial properties for different applications.

Antioxidant activity of the stem bark of Shorea roxburghii and its silver reducing power

A detailed study has been performed on the antioxidant activity of the acetone and methanol extracts of the stem bark of the plant, Shorea roxburghii. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the extracts were determined by DPPH, radical scavenging, ferric ion reducing power, hydroxyl radical, ABTS. radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. Reducing efficiency of the S. roxburghii towards silver nanoparticles has been evaluated using surface plasmon resonance and transmission electron microscope. Spherical shapes of particles with 4–50 nm have been reported. Formation of silver nanoparticles ascertains the role of the water soluble phenolic compounds present in S. roxburghii. Both acetone and methanol extracts of S. roxburghii stem bark was found to be a potent antioxidant. This work provides a scientific support for the high antioxidant activity of this plant and thus it may find potential applications in the treatment of the diseases caused by free radical. The extract of this plant could be used as a green reducing agent for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles.

Au–Pt graded nano-alloy formation and its manifestation in small organics oxidation reaction

A graded nano-alloy of Au100−xPtx (x = 7, 15, 23, 32, 40, 51, 62, 73 and 86) nanoparticles (NPs) formed by co-reduction of HAuCl4 and H2PtCl6 and the details are presented in this work. Au100−xPtx NPs were characterized using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The NPs were dispersed in Vulcan carbon (Au100−xPtx/C) and annealed at 250, 400, 600 and 800 °C. The as-formed and annealed materials were characterized using TEM, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The CV studies indicate excess Pt on the surface, which is corroborated by XPS and HR-TEM results. The XRD data show that Vegard's law is obeyed by the as-formed material and the materials annealed at 250 and 400 °C, indicating that these materials are not nano-alloys. The studies clearly indicate that the formation of Au100−xPtx NPs is kinetically controlled rather than being controlled by the thermodynamic stability. The results demonstrate the formation of graded alloys of Au100−xPtx NPs. Pt excess in the graded nano-alloy is reflected favourably in the electrochemical oxidation of small organics. In the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), the peak current value per mg of Pt increases as a function of x, reaches a maximum value at x = 23 and the ratio of forward current to reverse current for MOR reached an unprecedented value of 6.7, which shows the catalyst’s stability against poisoning by carbonaceous intermediates.

表面等离子体增强型量子阱红外探测器光栅设计与模拟

本研究分析了目前量子阱红外探测器应用中的主要制约因素，从表面等离子体的激发和传输物理机制出发，将表面等离子体近场光增强效应引入量子阱红外探测器光栅设计中，通过模拟计算进一步分析了光栅结构参数对探测器吸收波长和强度的影响，为未来这项技术的进一步应用打下理论基础。 In this paper, the main restricting factors of quantum well infrared detector application were analyzed. Through studying on the physical mechanism of surface plasmon excitation and transmission, we developed a surface plasmon grating for quantum-well infrared detector. The influence on transmission intensity and wavelength with the constructor parameters of grating was discussed. The result is giving theoretical basis for future quantum well infrared detector application.

A review of terahertz plasmonics in subwavelength holes on conducting films

In this paper, we present a review of experimental studies of terahertz plasmonic transmission properties through subwavelength holes patterned in conducting films. The frequency-dependent transmission spectrum reveals resonant behavior with an anomalously high peak transmission which is mediated by the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons. We show how terahertz time-domain spectroscopy has been utilized to determine the resonant transmission effects of hole shape, dielectric properties of materials, and thickness of the arrays. Enhanced terahertz transmission was also observed through a single hole, accompanied by annular periodic corrugations. In addition to metals films, we review films comprised of highly doped semiconductors and superconductors. We finally review various modulation schemes to actively control or manipulate the resonant terahertz transmission using external stimuli such as thermal, optical, and electrical fields. This body of work is used to provide perspective on how manipulation of terahertz radiation via surface plasmon polaritons could affect next-generation terahertz photonic devices.

Amplifying mirrors for terahertz plasmons

Semiconductor plasmons have long held out a promise for terahertz generation, but competitive plasmonic mechanisms have yet to be found. Here, we introduce amplifying terahertz mirrors: planar interfaces for two-dimensional electron channels that amplify plasmons in the presence of electron drift. In contrast to existing formulations, we develop a rigorous mode matching technique that takes the complete mode spectrum into account. Mirrors are characterized by plasmon reflection and transmission coefficients whose values can increase with drift. Amplitude and power coefficients are determined, and conditions are found for their values to exceed unity. Resonators based on different combinations of amplifying mirrors are investigated, and an asymmetric configuration (consisting of two different electron channels confined between conducting planes) whose roundtrip gain can exceed unity is identified. The unusual conditions needed for oscillation are examined in detail and the general advantages of asymmetric arrangements are highlighted. Finally, the potential of mode matching as a universal tool for plasmonics is discussed.

Inducing an Incipient Terahertz Finite Plasmonic Crystal in Coupled Two Dimensional Plasmonic Cavities

We measured a change in the current transport of an antenna-coupled, multigate, GaAs/AlGaAs field-effect transistor when terahertz electromagnetic waves irradiated the transistor and attribute the change to bolometric heating of the electrons in the two dimensional electron channel. The observed terahertz absorption spectrum indicates coherence between plasmons excited under adjacent biased device gates. The experimental results agree quantitatively with a theoretical model we developed that is based on a generalized plasmonic transmission line formalism and describes an evolution of the plasmonic spectrum with increasing electron density modulation from homogeneous to the crystal limit. These results demonstrate an electronically induced and dynamically tunable plasmonic band structure.

Plasmonic mode converter for controlling optical impedance and nanoscale light-matter interaction

To enable multiple functions of plasmonic nanocircuits, it is of key importance to control the propagation properties and the modal distribution of the guided optical modes such that their impedance matches to that of nearby quantum systems and desired light-matter interaction can be achieved. Here, we present efficient mode converters for manipulating guided modes on a plasmonic two-wire transmission line. The mode conversion is achieved through varying the path length, wire cross section and the surrounding index of refraction. Instead of pure optical interference, strong near-field coupling of surface plasmons results in great momentum splitting and modal profile variation. We theoretically demonstrate control over nanoantenna radiation and discuss the possibility to enhance nanoscale light-matter interaction. The proposed converter may find applications in surface plasmon amplification, index sensing and enhanced nanoscale spectroscopy.

Large-scale fabrication of plasmonic gold nanohole arrays for refractive index sensing at visible region

We present the design and fabrication of large-scale gold nanohole arrays based on the versatile nanosphere lithography technique. The gold nanohole arrays exhibit two surface plasmonic resonance related transmission peaks and show a sensitive response to refractive index. The working wavelength and sensitivity can be tuned by changing the hole diameter and hole depth. A sensitivity of 125 nm/refractive index unit is obtained in the visible region. Our quasi-infinite gold nanohole arrays film can serve as an optical enhancing component while also can serve as a transparent conductive electrode for the opto-electric devices.

Infrared Plasmonic Transmission Resonances of Gold Film with Hexagonally Ordered Hole Arrays on ZnSe Substrate

The high fractional open area of metal thin film coatings, with two dimensional, hexagonally ordered, close packed arrays of holes, makes them of interest for the incorporation of plasmonic effects into a variety of optical devices. Gold films with hexagonal patterns of circular holes have been created on ZnSe infrared windows. The films have 2.50 μm diameter holes and a hexagonal lattice parameter of 3.06 μm which places the primary transmission resonances of the ZnSe/gold interface at ~1,400 cm−1 (7.14 μm) and that of the air/gold interface at ~3,800 cm−1 (2.63 μm). This geometry produces useful transmission across the whole traditional mid-infrared range. The dispersion of these resonances has been measured by changing the angle of incident light. The data is modeled with explicit momentum matching equations in two different, high symmetry geometries, allowing the effective index of refraction to vary with wavelength. The response of these resonances to the addition of an acetaldehyde coating is described.

Experimental demonstration of plasmonic Brewster angle extraordinary transmission through extreme subwavelength slit arrays in the microwave

We experimentally demonstrate the existence of a Brewster-like broadband extraordinary optical transmission band, in a very thick metal plate with an array of slits as narrow as $\ensuremath{\lambda}$/750 in the 8- to 40-GHz regime, by measuring the transmission from normal incidence to near grazing angles and mapping out the entire angular transmission spectrum. In the case of very narrow slits, an order of magnitude larger transmission is obtained at the Brewster angle when compared to the normal-incidence Fabry-P\'erot resonance transmission peaks. Full-wave numerical simulations are in excellent agreement with the measurements, paving the way for the observation of this phenomenon in the optical regime.

Biologically Enabled Syntheses of Freestanding Metallic Structures Possessing Subwavelength Pore Arrays for Extraordinary (Surface Plasmon‐Mediated) Infrared Transmission

AbstractA scalable wet chemical process has been used to convert the intricate silica microshells (frustules) of diatoms into gold structures that retained the three‐dimensional (3‐D) frustule shapes and fine patterned features. Combined use of an amine‐enriching surface functionalization protocol and electroless deposition yielded thin (<100 nm) conformal nanocrystalline gold coatings that, upon selective silica dissolution, were converted into freestanding gold structures with frustule‐derived 3‐D morphologies. By selecting a diatom frustule template with a quasi‐regular hexagonal pore pattern (Coscinodiscus asteromphalus, CA), gold replica structures possessing such pore patterns were produced that exhibited infrared transmission maxima/reflection minima that were not observed for the starting silica diatom frustules or for flat nonporous gold films; that is, such extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) resulted from the combined effects of the quasi‐periodic hexagonal hole structure (inherited from the CA diatom frustules) and the gold chemistry. Calculated and measured IR transmission spectra obtained from planar gold films with quasi‐periodic hexagonal CA‐derived hole patterns, or with short‐range periodic hexagonal hole patterns, indicated that the enhanced IR transmission exhibited by the gold CA frustule replicas was enabled by the generation and transmission of surface plasmons. This scalable bio‐enabled process provides a new and attractive capability for fabricating self‐supporting, responsive, 3‐D metallic structures for use as dispersible/harvestable microparticles tailored for EOT‐based applications.

Theoretical analysis of the characteristic impedance in metal–insulator–metal plasmonic transmission lines

We propose a closed form formulation for the impedance of the metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmonic transmission lines by solving the Maxwell's equations. We provide approximations for thin and thick insulator layers sandwiched between metallic layers. In the case of very thin dielectric layer, the surface waves on both interfaces are strongly coupled resulting in an almost linear dependence of the impedance of the plasmonic transmission line on the thickness of the insulator layer. On the other hand, for very thick insulator layer, the impedance does not vary with the insulator layer thickness due to the weak-coupling/decoupling of the surface waves on each metal-insulator interface. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed formulation using two test scenarios, namely, almost zero reflection in T-junction and reflection from line discontinuity in the design of Bragg reflectors, where we compare our formulation against previously published results.

Channel spaser: Coherent excitation of one-dimensional plasmons from quantum dots located along a linear channel

We show that net amplification of surface plasmons is achieved in channel in a metal plate due to nonradiative excitation by quantum dots. This makes possible lossless plasmon transmission lines in the channel as well as the amplification and generation of coherent surface plasmons. As an example, a ring channel spaser is considered.

Fabrication and Characterization of Gelatin Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles under UV-Light

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were successfully synthesized using the UV irradiation of aqueous solutions containing AgNO3 and gelatin as a silver source and stabilizer, respectively. The UV irradiation times influence the particles’ diameter of the Ag-NPs, as evidenced from surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. When the UV irradiation time was increased, the mean size of particles continuously decreased as a result of photoinduced Ag-NPs fragmentation. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), the UV-irradiated Ag-NPs were a face-centered cubic (fcc) single crystal without any impurity. This study reveals that the UV irradiation-mediated method is a green chemistry and promising route for the synthesis of stable Ag-NPs for several applications (e.g., medical and surgical devices). The important advantages of this method are that it is cheap, easy, and free of toxic materials.

Ultra-high extinction ratio micropolarizers using plasmonic lenses

The design of a new type of plasmonic ultra-high extinction ratio micropolarizing transmission filter is presented along with an experimental demonstration. A pair of dielectric coated metal gratings couple incident TM polarized light into surface plasmons, which are fed into a central metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide, followed by transmission through a sub-wavelength aperture. Extinction ratios exceeding 10¹¹ are predicted by finite element simulation. Good absolute agreement for both the spectral and polarization response is obtained between measurement and simulations using measured geometric parameters. The filters can be easily fabricated and sized to match the pixel pitch of current focal plane arrays.

Galectin-1 Binds to Influenza Virus and Ameliorates Influenza Virus Pathogenesis

Innate immune response is important for viral clearance during influenza virus infection. Galectin-1, which belongs to S-type lectins, contains a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain that recognizes galactose-containing oligosaccharides. Since the envelope proteins of influenza virus are highly glycosylated, we studied the role of galectin-1 in influenza virus infection in vitro and in mice. We found that galectin-1 was upregulated in the lungs of mice during influenza virus infection. There was a positive correlation between galectin-1 levels and viral loads during the acute phase of viral infection. Cells treated with recombinant human galectin-1 generated lower viral yields after influenza virus infection. Galectin-1 could directly bind to the envelope glycoproteins of influenza A/WSN/33 virus and inhibit its hemagglutination activity and infectivity. It also bound to different subtypes of influenza A virus with micromolar dissociation constant (K(d)) values and protected cells against influenza virus-induced cell death. We used nanoparticle, surface plasmon resonance analysis and transmission electron microscopy to further demonstrate the direct binding of galectin-1 to influenza virus. More importantly, we show for the first time that intranasal treatment of galectin-1 could enhance survival of mice against lethal challenge with influenza virus by reducing viral load, inflammation, and apoptosis in the lung. Furthermore, galectin-1 knockout mice were more susceptible to influenza virus infection than wild-type mice. Collectively, our results indicate that galectin-1 has anti-influenza virus activity by binding to viral surface and inhibiting its infectivity. Thus, galectin-1 may be further explored as a novel therapeutic agent for influenza.

Synthesis of gold nanoparticles in an interdigital micromixer using ascorbic acid and sodium borohydride as reducers

Continuous-flow process conditions for the reduction to gold nanoparticles were varied following a variation scheme aiming at impacting each of the elementary steps—mixing, reaction, polymer diffusion and polymer binding. While the last three variations are done by proper material choice (reducer; polymeric stabilizer), flow processing using a multilamination micromixer intensified the mass transfer in all these steps and particularly improved the first mixing step of the reactants. As reducers L-ascorbic acid (H 2Asc) and sodium borohydride (NaBH 4) were used and as gold particle precursor chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4). All processing runs were analysed by plasmon absorption and transmission electron microscopy to reveal size, shape and polydispersity. For the HAuCl 4–H 2Asc system, the smallest particles were 0.8–4 nm (7.5 mL/min) and 0.6–3 nm (10.0 mL/min) for the HAuCl 4–NaBH 4 system. This is at the upper edge of performance reported for batch systems in literature, i.e. among the smallest gold particles generated. While the particles made for the HAuCl 4–H 2Asc system were polydisperse and polyshaped for most process conditions (however being spherical and relatively uniform at the two largest flow rates investigated), processing with the HAuCl 4–NaBH 4 system resulted in particles sizes with small mean deviation and almost ideal spherical shape. With polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as stabilizer, stable colloids were obtained for one week (violet coloured) up to at least 2 months (pink coloured) in case of reaction with ascorbic acid, and for at least 1 month in case of reaction with NaBH 4.

Harmonic generation in metallic, GaAs-filled nanocavities in the enhanced transmission regime at visible and UV wavelengths

We have conducted a theoretical study of harmonic generation from a silver grating having slits filled with GaAs. By working in the enhanced transmission regime, and by exploiting phase-locking between the pump and its harmonics, we guarantee strong field localization and enhanced harmonic generation under conditions of high absorption at visible and UV wavelengths. Silver is treated using the hydrodynamic model, which includes Coulomb and Lorentz forces, convection, electron gas pressure, plus bulk χ(3) contributions. For GaAs we use nonlinear Lorentz oscillators, with characteristic χ(2) and χ(3) and nonlinear sources that arise from symmetry breaking and Lorentz forces. We find that: (i) electron pressure in the metal contributes to linear and nonlinear processes by shifting/reshaping the band structure; (ii) TE- and TM-polarized harmonics can be generated efficiently; (iii) the χ(2) tensor of GaAs couples TE- and TM-polarized harmonics that create phase-locked pump photons having polarization orthogonal compared to incident pump photons; (iv) Fabry-Perot resonances yield more efficient harmonic generation compared to plasmonic transmission peaks, where most of the light propagates along external metal surfaces with little penetration inside its volume. We predict conversion efficiencies that range from 10(-6) for second harmonic generation to 10(-3) for the third harmonic signal, when pump power is 2 GW/cm2.

Coherent controlling surface plasmon transport properties in Ag nanowire by classic optical field

Coherent controlling surface plasmon transport in metal nanowire coupled to quantum dot is investigated theoretically by real-space method. In the calculations, the dispersion relation of metal nanowire is supposed to be linear and the quantum dot is a cascaded three-level system. The calculations reveal that whether the surface plasmon is transmitted or reflected by turning off or on the classic field can be controlled. The surface plasmon transmission and reflection spectra can be controlled by adjusting the intensity and the circular frequency of classic optical field even the energy of surface plasmon and quantum dot is not matched. The dissipations affecting on the transport properties are also discussed.