Spatial polarization sensitivity of single Au bowtie nanostructures

• Published in: Journal of luminescence Vol. 131; no. 9; pp. 1971 - 1974
• Main Authors: Wu, E, Chi, Yingzhi, Wu, Botao, Xia, Kangwei, Yokota, Yukie, Ueno, Kosei, Misawa, Hiroaki, Zeng, Heping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.09.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Au nanostructure; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures; Photoluminescence; Physics; Surface plasmon; Surface plasmon; Au nanostructure; Photoluminescence; Gold; Lithography; Nanostructures; Nanogap; Surface plasmons; Optical polarization; Time domain method; Local field; Plasmonics; Electric fields; Bow tie antenna; Finite difference method
• ISSN: 0022-2313; 1872-7883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2011.04.001

Metallic bowtie nanostructures as plasmonic nanoantennas can create highly enhanced local fields when resonating with the incident light. With Au bowtie nanostructures fabricated by lithography method, we experimentally observed that the photoluminescence (PL) spatial profile from a single Au bowtie nanoantenna was strongly dependent on the excitation light polarization. While varying the incident light polarization, the spatial distribution of the PL intensity in the nanogap of an Au bowtie changed as predicted by the simulation results on the electromagnetic field enhancement distribution. The polarization feature of the PL intensity relative to the polarization direction of incident excitation light was also discussed. The study may find application in the design of polarization sensitive plasmonic sensors. ► Photoluminescence image on single Au bowtie nanostructure was studied. ► The image profile was strongly dependent on the incident light polarization. ► FDTD simulation of the optical field enhancement was performed. ► The study is helpful for the design of polarization sensitive plasmonic sensors.