Tunable mid IR plasmon in GZO nanocrystals. Issue 28 (26th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hamza, M. K.; Bluet, J.-M.; Masenelli-Varlot, K.; Canut, B.; Boisron, O.; Melinon, P.; Masenelli, B.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 7:Issue 28(2015)
• Page Start: 12030
• Page End: 12037
• Publication Date: 2015-06-26
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c5nr03378k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Ga-doped ZnO nanocrystals are promising systems to expand plasmonics into the infrared range. Here, tunable mid IR plasmon is induced and controlled in degenerate GZO nanocrystals produced by a plasma expansion. The characteristic large damping is further shown to be related to the partial self-organization of the nanocrystals. Abstract : Degenerate metal oxide nanoparticles are promising systems to expand the significant achievements of plasmonics into the infrared (IR) range. Among the possible candidates, Ga-doped ZnO nanocrystals are particularly suited for mid IR, considering their wide range of possible doping levels and thus of plasmon tuning. In the present work, we report on the tunable mid IR plasmon induced in degenerate Ga-doped ZnO nanocrystals. The nanocrystals are produced by a plasma expansion and exhibit unprotected surfaces. Tuning the Ga concentration allows tuning the localized surface plasmon resonance. Moreover, the plasmon resonance is characterized by a large damping. By comparing the plasmon of nanocrystal assemblies to that of nanoparticles dispersed in an alumina matrix, we investigate the possible origins of such damping. We demonstrate that it partially results from the self-organization of the naked particles and also from intrinsic inhomogeneity of dopants.