Quantum corrections in the optical properties of three-dimensional plasmonic metamaterials with subnanometer gaps. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yannopapas, Vassilios
• Is Part Of: Solid state communications. Volume 222(2015)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: A.Charge tunnelling -- B.Metamaterials -- C.Plasmonics -- D.Nanostructures; Solid state chemistry -- Periodicals; Solid state physics -- Periodicals; Chimie de l'état solide -- Périodiques; Physique de l'état solide -- Périodiques; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssc.2015.08.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-1098

Abstract

Abstract: We study the effect of the electron tunnelling between two metallic surfaces in the optical response of a three-dimensional plasmonic metamaterial design, namely a square lattice of nanorods containing periodically repeated subnanometer slits. We show, in particular, that due to the interaction of the slits primarily within a single nanorod, the presence of charge tunnelling can modify drastically the surface-plasmon absorbance spectra in the manner of sizeable wavelength shifts and widening of the corresponding peaks, under suitable conditions of light incidence. Our calculations are based on rigorous electrodynamic multiple-scattering calculations incorporating a recently proposed quantum-corrected model [R. Esteban et al., Nat. Commun. 3, (2012) 825] simulating the effect of charge tunnelling between metal surfaces. Abstract : Highlights: First theoretical study of the effect of charge tunneling in 3D periodic plasmonic metamaterials. Case study: square array of nanorods containing periodically repeated slits of subnanometer size. The inclusion of charge tunneling induces large red shifts and widening into the observed surface-plasmon peaks and cannot be neglected in standard EM simulations. Theory can be confirmed experimentally with standard optical setups such those of light-transmission experiments.