Silver Nanostructures for Plasmonics and Nanophotonics

Silver nanostructures are containers for surface plasmons – the collective oscillation of conduction electrons in phase with incident light. By controlling the shape of the container, one can control the ways in which electrons oscillate, and in turn how the nanostructure scatters light, absorbs light, and enhances local electric fields. With the help of discrete dipole approximation (DDA) calculations, it is possible to understand how shape control can be used to tailor the plasmonic properties of silver nanostructures. The calculated predictions are then validated by experimental measurements performed on nanocubes and nanoplates with controllable corner truncation, as well as nanowires with pentagonal cross-sections. Controlling the shape of silver nanostructures allows optimization of plasmon resonance properties for improved molecular detection and spectroscopy and in plasmonic waveguiding.