Polarized light impinging on a sample can light up optical phenomena such as Plasmon Resonance of the metal sample, and simultaneously detect and analyse the phenomena themselves. Figure 1, provide an insightful look at metal nanostructure (50nm gold nanoparticles assembled to mimic a raspberry on a silicon surface) and the impact of ellipsometry (ellipsometric spectra shows the SPR absorption peak at wavelength of 620 nm) on this exciting new field known as “Plasmonics”. The versatile nature of ellipsometry is proved by its important role played in the generation of a new range of highly specified nanostructures for optics, photonics and biomedical applications. To address the need for a wider understanding of nanoparticles characterization techniques for the rapidly expanding field of nanomaterials and their application, a world class consortium of expert, coordinated by Dr M. Losurdo, has joined together in the EU’s FP7 Coordinated Action called NanoCharM (Multifunctional Nanomaterials Characterization Exploiting Ellipsometry and Polarimetry).

Contact person:
Dr. Maria Losurdo, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dr. Giovanni Bruno, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A "golden raspberry mimics nature"
Gold nanoparticles on silicon with plasmonic resonance at λ=620nm

Functionalized Gold nanoparticles supported on silicon wafers act as sensor to bio-molecules and gases . The typical fast ellipsometric response sensing the variation of the plasmon resonance peak upon exposure to analytes is shown.The unique characteristics of non-labeling and realtime monitoring of plasmonic ellipsometry can be used in many biochemical and biophysical applications, i.e., the so called bio-plasmonics

Ga nanoparticles whose surface plasmon resonance can be tailored from the UV to the near infrared spectra range have been deposited on wurtzite polar semiconductors such as SiC, GaN, and ZnO for plasmon enhanced-UV emitting solid-state devices. We demonstrated that tailoring the semiconductor surface charge is an important, intrinsic, parameter for tuning the localized surface plasmon resonance of metal nanoparticles ensembles.