Molecular Plasmonic Cavities

Graphene-based photonic structures have emerged as fertile ground for the controlled manipulation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), providing a two-dimensional platform with low optoelectronic losses. In principle, nanostructuring graphene can enable further confinement of nanolight─enhancing light-matter interactions in the form of SPP cavity modes. In this study, we engineer nanoscale plasmonic cavities composed of self-assembled C₆₀ arrays on graphene. Using scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) in conjunction with first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we show that C₆₀ assemblies behave as molecular plasmonic cavities, giving rise to precisely defined hole-doped regions within continuous samples of graphene. By tuning the deposition conditions of C₆₀, the lateral dimensions of molecular cavities can be tailored to the SPP wavelength. Finite-element simulations verify the existence of SPP cavity modes, revealing a real-space pattern characteristic of confined SPPs. Thus, our study provides a straightforward scheme for tailoring SPP mode volume by leveraging molecular self-assembly.