Optical encoding by plasmon-based patterning: hard and inorganic materials become photosensitive

Nano Lett. 2012 Jan 11;12(1):259-63. doi: 10.1021/nl2034738. Epub 2011 Dec 5.

Abstract

The photosensitivity of nanocomposite AlN films with embedded silver nanospheres is reported. It stems from localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) whose modulation is photoinduced by laser annealing that induces a combined effect of metallic nanoparticle enlargement and dielectric matrix recrystallization; the photoindunced changes of the refractive index of the matrix result in strong spectral shift of LSPR. We demonstrate the utilization of this process for spectrally selective optical encoding into hard, durable, and chemically inert films.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hardness
  • Information Storage and Retrieval / methods
  • Inorganic Chemicals / chemistry*
  • Inorganic Chemicals / radiation effects*
  • Light
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances / radiation effects
  • Materials Testing
  • Molecular Conformation / radiation effects
  • Molecular Imprinting / methods*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / radiation effects*
  • Particle Size
  • Refractometry / methods*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / methods*
  • Surface Properties / radiation effects

Substances

  • Inorganic Chemicals
  • Macromolecular Substances