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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Surface plasmon coupled chemiluminescence during adsorption of oxygen on magnesium surfaces

The dissociative adsorption of oxygen molecules on magnesium surfaces represents a non-adiabatic reaction exhibiting exoelectron emission, chemicurrent generation, and weak chemiluminescence. Using thin film Mg/Ag/p-Si(111) Schottky diodes with 1 nm Mg on a 10-60 nm thick Ag layer as 2π-photodetectors, the chemiluminescence is internally detected with a much larger efficiency than external methods. The chemically induced photoyield shows a maximum for a Ag film thickness of 45 nm. The enhancement is explained by surface plasmon coupled chemiluminescence, i.e., surface plasmon polaritons are effectively excited in the Ag layer by the oxidation reaction and decay radiatively leading to the observed photocurrent. Model calculations of the maximum absorption in attenuated total reflection geometry support the interpretation. The study demonstrates the extreme sensitivity and the practical usage of internal detection schemes for investigating surface chemiluminescence.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Plasmonic characterization of photo-induced silver nanoparticles extracted from silver halide based TEM film

The plasmonic responses of silver nanoparticles extracted from silver halide based electron microscope film are investigated. Photo-reduction process is carried out to convert the silver halide grains into the metallic silver. The centrifuge technique is used for separating the silver nanoparticles from the residual solution. Morphological study performed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) shows that all the nanoparticles have an average diameter of ~120 nm with a high degree of mono dispersion in size. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption peak at ~537 nm confirms the presence of large size silver nanoparticles.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Three-dimensional concentration of light in deeply sub-wavelength, laterally tapered gap-plasmon nanocavities

Gap-plasmons (GP) in metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structures have shown exceptional performance in guiding and concentrating light within deep subwavelength layers. Reported designs to date exploit tapered thicknesses of the insulating layer in order to confine and focus the GP mode. Here, we propose a mechanism for the three dimensional concentration of light in planar MIM structures which exploits exclusively the lateral tapering of the front metallic layer while keeping a constant thickness of the insulating layer. We demonstrate that an array of tapered planar GP nanocavities can efficiently concentrate light in all three dimensions. A semi-analytical, one-dimensional model provides understanding of the underlying physics and approximately predicts the behavior of the structure. Three-dimensional simulations are then used to precisely calculate the optical behavior. Cavities with effective volumes as small as 10{sup −5} λ{sup 3} are achieved in an ultrathin MIM configuration. Our design is inherently capable of efficiently coupling with free-space radiation. In addition, being composed of two electrically continuous layers separated by an ultrathin dielectric spacer, it could find interesting applications in the area of active metamaterials or plasmonic photocatalysis where both electrical access and light concentration are required.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Diffraction efficiency of plasmonic gratings fabricated by electron beam lithography using a silver halide film

The silver nanoparticle surface relief gratings of ∼10 μm period are fabricated using electron beam lithography on the silver halide film substrate. Morphological characterization of the gratings shows that the period, the shape, and the relief depth in the gratings are mainly dependent on the number of lines per frame, the spot size, and the accelerating voltage of electron beam raster in the SEM. Optical absorption of the silver nanoparticle gratings provides a broad localized surface plasmon resonance peak in the visible region, whereas the intensity of the peaks depends on the number density of silver nanoparticles in the gratings. The maximum efficiency of ∼7.2% for first order diffraction is observed for the grating fabricated at 15 keV. The efficiency is peaking at 560 nm with ∼380 nm bandwidth. The measured profiles of the diffraction efficiency for the gratings are found in close agreement with the Raman-Nath diffraction theory. This technique provides a simple and efficient method for the fabrication of plasmonic nanoparticle grating structures with high diffraction efficiency having broad wavelength tuning.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Multiple surface plasmons in an unbounded quantum plasma half-space

The propagation of surface plasmons on a quantum plasma half-space in the absence of any external confinement is investigated. By means of the Quantum Hydrodynamic Model in the electrostatic limit, it is found that the equilibrium density profile is a smooth continuous function which, in the linear regime, supports multiple non-normal surface modes. Defining a spectrum function and using a cutting condition, the dispersion relations of these modes and their relevance for realistic dynamics are computed. It is found that the multiple surface plasmons present a significant red-shift with respect to the case of fully bounded quantum plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

A study of angle dependent surface plasmon polaritons in nano-hole array structures

We report that the light-matter interaction in metallic nano-hole array structures possess a subwavelength hole radius and periodicity. The transmission coefficient for nano-hole array structures was measured for different angles of incidence of light. Each measured transmission spectrum had several peaks due to surface plasmon polaritons. A theory of the transmission coefficient was developed based on the quantum density matrix method. It was found that the location of the surface plasmon polariton and the heights of the spectral peaks were dependent on the angle of incidence of light. Good agreement was observed between the experimental and theoretical results. This property of these structures has opened up new possibilities for sensing applications.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Conversion of the optical orbital angular momentum in a plasmon-assisted second-harmonic generation

We experimentally demonstrate the plasmon-assisted second-harmonic generation of an optical orbital angular momentum (OAM) beam. Because of the shape resonance, the plasmons in a periodic array of rectangular metal holes greatly enhance the nonlinear optical conversion of an OAM state. The OAM conservation (i.e., 2l{sub 1} = l{sub 2} with l{sub 1} and l{sub 2} being the OAM numbers of the fundamental and second-harmonic waves, respectively) holds well under our experimental configuration. Our results provide a potential way to realize nonlinear optical manipulation of an OAM mode in a nano-photonic device.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Correlation of the plasmon-enhanced photoconductance and photovoltaic properties of core-shell Au@TiO{sub 2} network

This study reveals the contribution of hot electrons from the excited plasmonic nanoparticles in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) by correlating the photoconductance of a core-shell Au@TiO{sub 2} network on a micro-gap electrode and the photovolatic properties of this material as photoanodes in DSSCs. The distinct wavelength dependence of these two devices reveals that the plasmon-excited hot electrons can easily overcome the Schottky barrier at Au/TiO{sub 2} interface in the whole visible wavelength range and transfer from Au nanoparticles into the TiO{sub 2} network. The enhanced charge carrier density leads to higher photoconductance and facilitates more efficient charge separation and photoelectron collection in the DSSCs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Surface plasmons and Bloch surface waves: Towards optimized ultra-sensitive optical sensors

In photonics, the field concentration and enhancement have been major objectives for achieving size reduction and device integration. Plasmonics offers resonant field confinement and enhancement, but ultra-sharp optical resonances in all-dielectric multi-layer thin films are emerging as a powerful contestant. Thus, applications capitalizing upon stronger and sharper optical resonances and larger field enhancements could be faced with a choice for the superior platform. Here in this paper, we present a comparison between plasmonic and dielectric multi-layer thin films for their resonance merits. We show that the remarkable characteristics of the resonance behavior of optimized dielectric multi-layers can outweigh those of their metallic counterpart.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Non-invasive low charge electron beam time-of-arrival diagnostic using a plasmonics-enhanced photoconductive antenna

The use of a plasmonics-enhanced photoconductive antenna (PCA) optically gated by a near infrared (NIR) pulse enables non-invasive time-of-arrival measurements of a low charge electron beam with respect to the NIR reference, achieving picosecond resolution. The measured signal values show the expected scaling with the beam charge and distance from PCA to the beam axis, as the PCA samples the electric field of the passing electron beam. We operate the device with an NIR spot size much larger than the PCA active-area, resulting in a very simple optical setup and alignment procedure, making the plasmonics-enhanced PCA a preferred alternative to more complex timing diagnostics for applications requiring non-invasive picosecond or sub-picosecond timestamping.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Photonic thermal conduction by infrared plasmonic resonators in semiconductor nanowires

Photons typically do not contribute to thermal transport within a solid due to their low energy density and tendency to be absorbed quickly. In this article, we propose a practical material system—infrared plasmonic resonators embedded in a semiconductor nanowire—that leverages near-field electromagnetic coupling to achieve photonic thermal transport comparable to the electronic and phononic contributions. We analytically show photonic thermal conductivities up to about 1 W m -1 K -1 for 10 nm diameter Si and InAs nanowires containing repeated resonators at 500 K. Finally, the nanowire system outperforms plasmonic particles in isotropic environments and presents a pathway for photonic thermal transport to exceed that of phonons and electrons.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Non-Hermitian approach for quantum plasmonics

Herein, we examine the limits of applicability of a simple non-Hermitian model for exciton/plasmon interactions in the presence of dissipation and dephasing. The model can be used as an alternative to the more complete Lindblad density matrix approach and is computationally and conceptually simpler. We find that optical spectra in the linear regime can be adequately described by this approach. The model can fail, however, under continuous optical driving in some circumstances. In the case of two quantum dots or excitons interacting with a plasmon, the model can also describe coherences and entanglement qualitatively when both dissipation and dephasing are present and quantitatively in the limit with no dephasing. The approach, within a single excitation manifold, is also applied to assess the role of disorder for 50 quantum dots interacting with a plasmon, where we find that, on average, large enough disorder can help stabilize the ensemble average of the open quantum system toward a dark quasi-steady-state much faster than without disorder. Furthermore, while such single excitation manifold calculations in this size limit can readily be done with either the non-Hermitian or Lindblad forms, as one goes to larger Hilbert space sizes, the computational and storage advantages of the non-Hermitian approach can become more useful. Published under license by AIP Publishing.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Observation of photo-induced plasmon–phonon coupling in PbTe via ultrafast x-ray scattering

We report the observation of photo-induced plasmon–phonon coupled modes in the group IV–VI semiconductor PbTe using ultrafast x-ray diffuse scattering at the Linac Coherent Light Source. We measure the near-zone-center excited-state dispersion of the heavily screened longitudinal optical (LO) phonon branch as extracted from differential changes in x-ray diffuse scattering intensity following above bandgap photoexcitation. We suggest that upon photoexcitation, the LO phonon-plasmon coupled (LOPC) modes themselves become coupled to longitudinal acoustic modes that drive electron band shifts via acoustic deformation potentials and possibly to low-energy single-particle excitations within the plasma and that these couplings give rise to displacement-correlations that oscillate in time with a period given effectively by the heavily screened LOPC frequency.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Enhancing hyperspectral EELS analysis of complex plasmonic nanostructures with pan-sharpening

Nanoscale hyperspectral techniques—such as electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS)—are critical to understand the optical response in plasmonic nanostructures, but as systems become increasingly complex, the required sampling density and acquisition times become prohibitive for instrumental and specimen stability. As a result, there has been a recent push for new experimental methodologies that can provide comprehensive information about a complex system, while significantly reducing the duration of the experiment. In this work, we present a pan-sharpening approach to hyperspectral EELS analysis, where we acquire two datasets from the same region (one with high spatial resolution and one with high spectral fidelity) and combine them to achieve a single dataset with the beneficial properties of both. This work outlines a straightforward, reproducible pathway to reduced experiment times and higher signal-to-noise ratios, while retaining the relevant physical parameters of the plasmonic response, and is generally applicable to a wide range of spectroscopy modalities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Superfocusing of an ultrashort plasmon pulse by a conducting cone

We have shown theoretically the possibility of controlling nanoscale superfocusing of plasmons in a metal conical tip by modulating the carrier frequency of the pulse. The propagation of an ultrashort plasmon pulse in a metal nanoneedle is simulated numerically. The calculation is based on an asymptotic analytical solution of Maxwell's equations for electromagnetic wave propagation in a conical conductor in the vicinity of its apex, obtained by the approximate separation of variables in spherical coordinates. The dependence the field superfocusing on the conductor material, pulse chirp and propagation length is studied. (nanooptics)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Amplification and generation of surface plasmon polaritons in a semiconductor film – dielectric structure

The peculiarities of propagation and amplification of surface waves of plasmon polariton type in a planar semiconductor film – dielectric structure are considered for the THz frequency region, with allowance for dissipation in a semiconductor. Two spectral regions are found, where the group velocity of surface plasmon polaritons is negative. It is shown that in these regions the structure can be considered as an amplifying waveguide with distributed feedback and a high gain with respect to the reflected and transmitted signals. The possibility of generation of electromagnetic radiation in such structures is established. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Continuous-wave laser generation of slow THz surface plasmons in an array of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The mechanism of generation of surface plasmon polaritons in the THz and far-IR ranges by laser irradiation of arrays of single-walled carbon nanotubes is considered. It is shown that by varying the angle of incidence of the laser beam, one can change the frequency of generated surface plasmon polaritons. As consequence, the nanotube length can be matched to the laser wavelength for efficient conversion of cw laser radiation to the THz range.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Conversion of light polarisation in asymmetric plasmonic waveguides

Hybrid plasmonic waveguides with an embedded conducting oxide layer can be used for producing fast and compact electro-optical modulation devices. However, due to constraints, which plasmon modes impose on light polarisation, modulators of this class are not compatible with high-efficiency modern diffraction gratings used for coupling light into a waveguide. In the present work we demonstrate how a simple structuring of a modulation sandwich makes it possible to produce a compact polarisation converter that eliminates the mentioned incompatibility. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗