Large area plasmonic nanostructures design, fabrication and characterization by laser

XU LE

Publication

Large area plasmonic nanostructures design, fabrication and characterization by laser

XU LE

Abstract

Plasmonics has recently been the subject of intense research efforts, owing to the fact that strong optical interactions can be effectively confined in metallic nanostructures. The intense electromagnetic fields by free electron oscillations at the metal surface provide promising applications, of which plasmonic sensing is a prime example. However, the development of practical, low-cost nanoscale manufacturing tools and processes capable of realizing these advanced applications is still one of the greatest challenges. Therefore, this thesis aims to design and fabricate desirable nanostructures over a large area by low-cost and flexible nanofabrication methods to improve sensing sensitivities of plasmonic bio/chemical nanosensors. This thesis involves theoretical and experimental studies of optical properties and near-field enhancement from random nanoparticles, quasi-ordered nanoparticles, and periodic arrays of nanostructures, consisting of refractive index sensing and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Nanostructures are patterned by low-cost and high-efficient nanofabrication tools: thermal annealing and laser interference lithography.