Engineering plasmonics resonances to mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths (4-20um)
Multi-layered aggregates of nanoparticles have a tuneable MIR resonance that enhances the MIR absorption of molecules confined within nanogaps, resulting in remarkable light-matter coupling approaching the strong coupling regime.
Direct detection of MIR is challenging but plasmonics can be used to transduce molecular vibrational information into the visible spectrum where more established technologies exist. Not only is this is a powerful tool to study vibrational excitation and coupling in plasmonic cavities but is a promising direction for future MIR detectors.
MIR upconversion detection configuration using nanoparticle-on-resonator geometry. Inset shows upconversion process. Adapted from [1].
MIR vibrationally-induced luminescence using confined dye molecules in Ag microsphere-on-foil nanogaps. Adapted from [2].
MIR-resonant multilayer NP aggregates for molecular SEIRA. Adapted from [3].
