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Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization

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A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Interaction Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 39456

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Prof. Dr. Grégory Barbillon

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EPF-Ecole d'Ingénieurs (Graduate School of Engineering), 55 Avenue du Président Wilson, 94230 Cachan, France
Interests: plasmonics; nano-optics; non-linear optics; nanophotonics; condensed matter physics; optical sensing; biosensing; nanotechnology; surface-enhanced spectroscopies; sum-frequency generation spectroscopy; materials chemistry; physical chemistry; fluorescence
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Dear Colleagues,

Nanoplasmonics takes advantage of the light coupling to electrons in metals, and can break the diffraction limit for light confinement into subwavelength zones allowing strong field enhancements. Moreover, in the last two decades, new instrumentation has been used for the characterization of plasmonic nanostructures such as new electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and cathodoluminescence. These techniques can map plasmon modes with excellent spatial resolution. This Special Issue is devoted to the recent advances and insights in this field, including plasmonic devices, non-linear plasmonics, chiral plasmonics, thermoplasmonics, plasmonic heating, quantum plasmonics, hot electrons, plasmonic biosensing, plasmonic photocatalysis, plasmon-enhanced fluorescence, and also in the use of electron energy loss spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence for plasmonic characterization. It is a pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, and reviews are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Grégory Barbillon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

electron energy loss spectroscopy
cathodoluminescence
hot electrons
plasmonic devices
non-linear plasmonics
chiral plasmonics
plasmonic heating
thermoplasmonics
quantum plasmonics
plasmonic biosensing, plasmonic photocatalysis
surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)
sum-frequency generation (SFG)
second harmonic generation (SHG)
high harmonic generation (HHG)
plasmon-enhanced fluorescence

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

4 pages, 189 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization

by Grégory Barbillon

Photonics 2022, 9(2), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9020112 - 17 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1503

Abstract

Nanoplasmonics is a research topic that takes advantage of the light coupling to electrons in metals, and can break the diffraction limit for light confinement into subwavelength zones allowing strong field enhancements [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

30 pages, 950 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance of Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors Using Copper/Copper Oxide Films: Influence of Thicknesses and Optical Properties

by Dominique Barchiesi, Tasnim Gharbi, Deniz Cakir, Eric Anglaret, Nicole Fréty, Sameh Kessentini and Ramzi Maâlej

Photonics 2022, 9(2), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9020104 - 11 Feb 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3345

Abstract

Surface plasmon resonance sensors (SPR) using copper for sensitive parts are a competitive alternative to gold and silver. Copper oxide is a semiconductor and has a non-toxic nature. The unavoidable presence of copper oxide may be of interest as it is non-toxic, but it modifies the condition of resonance and the performance of the sensor. Therefore, the characterization of the optical properties of copper and copper oxide thin films is of interest. We propose a method to recover both the thicknesses and optical properties of copper and copper oxide from absorbance curves over the

(0.9; 3.5)

eV range, and we use these results to numerically investigate the surface plasmon resonance of copper/copper oxide thin films. Samples of initial copper thicknesses 10, 30 and 50 nm, after nine successive oxidations, are systematically studied to simulate the signal of a Surface Plasmon Resonance setup. The results obtained from the resolution of the inverse problem of absorbance are used to discuss the performance of a copper-oxide sensor and, therefore, to evaluate the optimal thicknesses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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14 pages, 1775 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two-Colour Sum-Frequency Generation Spectroscopy Coupled to Plasmonics with the CLIO Free Electron Laser

by Christophe Humbert, Olivier Pluchery, Emmanuelle Lacaze, Bertrand Busson and Abderrahmane Tadjeddine

Photonics 2022, 9(2), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9020055 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2437

Abstract

Nonlinear plasmonics requires the use of high-intensity laser sources in the visible and near/mid-infrared spectral ranges to characterise the potential enhancement of the vibrational fingerprint of chemically functionalised nanostructured interfaces aimed at improving the molecular detection threshold in nanosensors. We used Two-Colour Sum-Frequency Generation (2C-SFG) nonlinear optical spectroscopy coupled to the European CLIO Free Electron Laser in order to highlight an energy transfer in organic and inorganic interfaces built on a silicon substrate. We evidence that a molecular pollutant, such as thiophenol molecules adsorbed on small gold metal nanospheres grafted on silicon, was detected at the monolayer scale in the 10 µm infrared spectral range, with increasing SFG intensity of three specific phenyl ring vibration modes reaching two magnitude orders from blue to green–yellow excitation wavelengths. This observation is related to a strong plasmonic coupling to the thiophenol molecules vibrations. The high level of gold nanospheres aggregation on the substrate allows us to dramatically increase the presence of hotspots, revealing collective plasmon modes based on strong local electric fields between the gold nanoparticles packed in close contact on the substrate. This configuration favors detection of Raman active vibration modes, for which 2C-SFG spectroscopy is particularly efficient in this unusual infrared spectral range. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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14 pages, 2727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploration on Structural and Optical Properties of Nanocrystalline Cellulose/Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Thin Film for Potential Plasmonic Sensing Application

by Nur Syahira Md Ramdzan, Yap Wing Fen, Josephine Ying Chyi Liew, Nur Alia Sheh Omar, Nur Ain Asyiqin Anas, Wan Mohd Ebtisyam Mustaqim Mohd Daniyal and Nurul Illya Muhamad Fauzi

Photonics 2021, 8(10), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8100419 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1757

Abstract

There are extensive studies on the development of composite solutions involving various types of materials. Therefore, this works aims to incorporate two polymers of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and poly(3,4-ethylenethiophene) (PEDOT) to develop a composite thin film via the spin-coating method. Then, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is employed to confirm the functional groups of the NCC/PEDOT thin film. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) results revealed a relatively homogeneous surface with the roughness of the NCC/PEDOT thin film being slightly higher compared with individual thin films. Meanwhile, the ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) spectrometer evaluated the optical properties of synthesized thin films, where the absorbance peaks can be observed around a wavelength of 220 to 700 nm. An optical band gap of 4.082 eV was obtained for the composite thin film, which is slightly lower as compared with a single material thin film. The NCC/PEDOT thin film was also incorporated into a plasmonic sensor based on the surface plasmon resonance principle to evaluate the potential for sensing mercury ions in an aqueous medium. Resultantly, the NCC/PEDOT thin film shows a positive response in detecting the various concentrations of mercury ions. In conclusion, this work has successfully developed a new sensing layer in fabricating an effective and potential heavy metal ions sensor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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18 pages, 5838 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Optimization of Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy for Optical Constant Characterization and Potential Sensing Application: Theoretical and Experimental Approaches

by Wan Mohd Ebtisyam Mustaqim Mohd Daniyal, Yap Wing Fen, Jaafar Abdullah, Amir Reza Sadrolhosseini and Mohd Adzir Mahdi

Photonics 2021, 8(9), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8090361 - 29 Aug 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2720

Abstract

The best surface plasmon resonance (SPR) signal can be generated based on several factors that include the excitation wavelength, the type of metal used, and the thickness of the metal layer. In this study, the aforementioned factors have been investigated to obtain the best SPR signal. The excitation wavelength of 633 nm and gold metal with thickness of 50 nm were required to generate the SPR signal before the SPR was used for optical constant characterization by fitting of experimental results to the theoretical data. The employed strategy has good agreement with the theoretical value where the real part refractive index, n value, of the gold thin film was 0.1245 while the value for the imaginary part, k, was 3.6812 with 47.7 nm thickness. Besides that, the optical characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)-based thin film has also been demonstrated. The n and k values found for this thin film were 1.4240 and 0.2520, respectively, with optimal thickness of 9.5 nm. Interestingly when the NCC-based thin film was exposed to copper ion solution with n value of 1.3333 and k value of 0.0060 to 0.0070 with various concentrations (0.01–10 ppm), a clear change of the refractive index value was observed. This result suggests that the NCC-based thin film has high potential for copper ion sensing using SPR with a sensitivity of 8.0052°/RIU. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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12 pages, 3928 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Plasmonic Narrowband Filter Based on an Equilateral Triangular Resonator with a Silver Bar

by Jingyu Zhang, Hengli Feng and Yang Gao

Photonics 2021, 8(7), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8070244 - 29 Jun 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 1872

Abstract

A kind of plasmonic structure consisted of an equilateral triangle-shaped cavity (ETSC) and a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide is proposed to realize triple Fano resonances. Numerically simulated by the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, Fano resonances inside the structure are also explained by the coupled mode theory (CMT) and standing wave theory. For further research, inverting ETSC could dramatically increase quality factor to enhance resonance wavelength selectivity. After that, a bar is introduced into the ETSC and the inverted ETSC to increase resonance wavelengths through changing the structural parameters of the bar. In addition, working as a highly efficient narrowband filter, this structure owes a good sensitivity (S = 923 nm/RIU) and a pretty high-quality factor (Q = 322) along with a figure of merit (FOM = 710). Additionally, a narrowband peak with 1.25 nm Full-Width-Half-Maximum (FWHM) can be obtained. This structure will be used in highly integrated optical circuits in future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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8 pages, 2036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Second-Order Dispersion Sensor Based on Multi-Plasmonic Surface Resonances in D-Shaped Photonic Crystal Fibers

by Markos P. Cardoso, Anderson O. Silva, Amanda F. Romeiro, M. Thereza R. Giraldi, João C. W. A. Costa, José L. Santos, José M. Baptista and Ariel Guerreiro

Photonics 2021, 8(6), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8060181 - 24 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1811

Abstract

This paper proposes a scheme to determine the optical dispersion properties of a medium using multiple localized surface plasmon resonances (SPR) in a D-shaped photonic crystal fiber (PCF) whose flat surface is covered by three adjacent gold layers of different thicknesses. Using computational simulations, we show how to customize plasmon resonances at different wavelengths, thus allowing for obtaining the second-order dispersion. The central aspect of this sensing configuration is to balance miniaturization with low coupling between the different localized plasmon modes in adjacent metallic nanostructures. The determination of the optical dispersion over a large spectral range provides information on the concentration of different constituents of a medium, which is of paramount importance when monitoring media with time-varying concentrations, such as fluidic media. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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12 pages, 12287 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plasmonic Enhanced InP Nanowire Array Solar Cell through Optoelectronic Modeling

by Farzaneh Adibzadeh and Saeed Olyaee

Photonics 2021, 8(4), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8040090 - 25 Mar 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1864

Abstract

Vertical nanowire (NW) arrays are a promising candidate for the next generation of the optoelectronics industry because of their significant features. Here, we investigated the InP NW array solar cells and obtained the optoelectronic properties of the structure. To improve the performance of the NW array solar cells, we placed a metal layer of Au at the bottom of the NWs and considered their top part to be a conical-shaped parabola. Using optical and electrical simulations, it has been shown that the proposed structure improves the absorption of light in normal incidence, especially at wavelengths near the bandgap of InP, where photons are usually not absorbed. Under inclined radiation, light absorption is also improved in the middle part of the solar spectrum. Increased light absorption in the cell led to the generation of more electron–hole pairs, resulting in an increase in short circuit current density from 24.1 mA/cm² to 27.64 mA/cm², which is equivalent to 14.69% improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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12 pages, 3405 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Optical Characterization of Ultra-Thin Films of Azo-Dye-Doped Polymers Using Ellipsometry and Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy

by Najat Andam, Siham Refki, Hidekazu Ishitobi, Yasushi Inouye and Zouheir Sekkat

Photonics 2021, 8(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8020041 - 05 Feb 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4354

Abstract

The determination of optical constants (i.e., real and imaginary parts of the complex refractive index (

n_{c}

) and thickness (

d

)) of ultrathin films is often required in photonics. It may be done by using, for example, surface plasmon resonance [...] Read more.

The determination of optical constants (i.e., real and imaginary parts of the complex refractive index (

n_{c}

) and thickness (

d

)) of ultrathin films is often required in photonics. It may be done by using, for example, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy combined with either profilometry or atomic force microscopy (AFM). SPR yields the optical thickness (i.e., the product of

n_{c}

and

d

) of the film, while profilometry and AFM yield its thickness, thereby allowing for the separate determination of

n_{c}

and

d

. In this paper, we use SPR and profilometry to determine the complex refractive index of very thin (i.e., 58 nm) films of dye-doped polymers at different dye/polymer concentrations (a feature which constitutes the originality of this work), and we compare the SPR results with those obtained by using spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements performed on the same samples. To determine the optical properties of our film samples by ellipsometry, we used, for the theoretical fits to experimental data, Bruggeman’s effective medium model for the dye/polymer, assumed as a composite material, and the Lorentz model for dye absorption. We found an excellent agreement between the results obtained by SPR and ellipsometry, confirming that SPR is appropriate for measuring the optical properties of very thin coatings at a single light frequency, given that it is simpler in operation and data analysis than spectroscopic ellipsometry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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15 pages, 1069 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interband, Surface Plasmon and Fano Resonances in Titanium Carbide (MXene) Nanoparticles in the Visible to Infrared Range

by Manuel Gonçalves, Armen Melikyan, Hayk Minassian, Taron Makaryan, Petros Petrosyan and Tigran Sargsian

Photonics 2021, 8(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8020036 - 01 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4014

Abstract

Since the discovery of the optical properties of two-dimensional (2D) titanium carbide (MXene) conductive material, an ever increasing interest has been devoted towards understanding it as a plasmonic substrate or nanoparticle. This noble metal-free alternative holds promise not only due to its lower [...] Read more.

_{3}

_{2}

_{x}

MXene nanosheets are theoretically analyzed and absorption cross-sections are calculated exploiting available experimental data on its dielectric function. The occurrence of quadrupole surface plasmon mode in the optical absorption spectra of large MXene nanoparticles is demonstrated for the first time. The resonance wavelengths corresponding to interband transitions, longitudinal and transversal dipole oscillations and quadrupole longitudinal surface plasmon mode are identified for single and coupled nanoparticles by modeling their shapes as ellipsoids, disks and cylinders. A new mechanism of excitation of longwave transversal surface plasmon oscillations by an external electric field perpendicular to the direction of charge oscillations is presented. Excitingly enough, a new effect in coupled MXene nanoparticles—Fano resonance—is unveiled. The results of calculations are compared to known experimental data on electron absorption spectroscopy, and good agreement is demonstrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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Review

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24 pages, 2376 KiB

Open AccessReview

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: Applications in Agriculture and Food Safety

by Yuqing Yang, Niamh Creedon, Alan O’Riordan and Pierre Lovera

Photonics 2021, 8(12), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8120568 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4560

Abstract

Recent global warming has resulted in shifting of weather patterns and led to intensification of natural disasters and upsurges in pests and diseases. As a result, global food systems are under pressure and need adjustments to meet the change—often by pesticides. Unfortunately, such agrochemicals are harmful for humans and the environment, and consequently need to be monitored. Traditional detection methods currently used are time consuming in terms of sample preparation, are high cost, and devices are typically not portable. Recently, Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) has emerged as an attractive candidate for rapid, high sensitivity and high selectivity detection of contaminants relevant to the food industry and environmental monitoring. In this review, the principles of SERS as well as recent SERS substrate fabrication methods are first discussed. Following this, their development and applications for agrifood safety is reviewed, with focus on detection of dye molecules, melamine in food products, and the detection of different classes of pesticides such as organophosphate and neonicotinoids. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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16 pages, 23640 KiB

Open AccessReview

Applications of Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

by Grégory Barbillon

Photonics 2021, 8(2), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8020046 - 12 Feb 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3870

Abstract

The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is mainly used as an analysis or detection tool of biological and chemical molecules. Since the last decade, an alternative branch of the SERS effect has been explored, and named shell-isolated nanoparticle Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) which was discovered in 2010. In SHINERS, plasmonic cores are used for enhancing the Raman signal of molecules, and a very thin shell of silica is generally employed for improving the thermal and chemical stability of plasmonic cores that is of great interest in the specific case of catalytic reactions under difficult conditions. Moreover, thanks to its great surface sensitivity, SHINERS can enable the investigation at liquid–solid interfaces. In last two years (2019–2020), recent insights in this alternative SERS field were reported. Thus, this mini-review is centered on the applications of shell-isolated nanoparticle Raman spectroscopy to the reactions with CO molecules, other surface catalytic reactions, and the detection of molecules and ions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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17 pages, 3872 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Nanoplasmonics in High Pressure Environment

by Grégory Barbillon

Photonics 2020, 7(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics7030053 - 28 Jul 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3748

Abstract

An explosion in the interest for nanoplasmonics has occurred in order to realize optical devices, biosensors, and photovoltaic devices. The plasmonic nanostructures are used for enhancing and confining the electric field. In the specific case of biosensing, this electric field confinement can induce the enhancement of the Raman signal of different molecules, or the localized surface plasmon resonance shift after the detection of analytes on plasmonic nanostructures. A major part of studies concerning to plasmonic modes and their application to sensing of analytes is realized in ambient environment. However, over the past decade, an emerging subject of nanoplasmonics has appeared, which is nanoplasmonics in high pressure environment. In last five years (2015–2020), the latest advances in this emerging field and its application to sensing were carried out. This short review is focused on the pressure effect on localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanosystems, the supercrystal formation of plasmonic nanoparticles stimulated by high pressure, and the detection of molecules and phase transitions with plasmonic nanostructures in high pressure environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advances in Nanoplasmonics and Use of New Tools for Plasmonic Characterization)

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