Bleach Imaged Plasmon Propagation (BlIPP) of Metallic Nanoparticle Waveguides

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dc.contributor.advisorLink, Stephanen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberLandes, Christy F.en_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberJohnson, Bruce R.en_US
dc.creatorSolis, Daviden_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-16T16:39:34Zen_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-09-16T16:39:45Zen_US
dc.date.available2013-09-16T16:39:34Zen_US
dc.date.available2013-09-16T16:39:45Zen_US
dc.date.created2013-05en_US
dc.date.issued2013-09-16en_US
dc.date.submittedMay 2013en_US
dc.date.updated2013-09-16T16:39:46Zen_US
dc.description.abstractThe high speed transfer of information in materials with dimensions below the sub-diffraction limit is essential for future technological developments. Metallic nanoparticle (NP) waveguides serve a unique role in efficient energy transfer in this size regime. Light may be confined to metallic structures and propagate along the surface of the waveguide via propagating plasmon waves known as surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Plasmon propagation of energy in metallic structures is not perfect however and damping losses from the waveguide material lead to a characteristic exponential decay in the plasmon near field intensity. This decay length is known as the propagation length and serves as an excellent metric to compare various waveguide materials and structures to one another at particular excitation wavelengths. This thesis presents recent work in the development of a novel measurement technique termed bleach imaged plasmon propagation (BlIPP). BlIPP uses the photobleaching property of fluorophores and far field fluorescence microscopy to probe the near-field intensity of propagating plasmons and determine the propagation length. The experimental setup, image analysis, conditions, and application of BlIPP are developed within this thesis and an in depth review of the 1-photon photobleaching mechanism is also investigated. The BlIPP method is used to investigate long plasmon propagation lengths along straight chains of tightly packed Au NPs through the coupling of light to sub-radiant propagating modes, where radiative energy losses are suppressed. The findings of this work reveal, experimentally, the importance of small gap distances for the propagation of energy. Complex chain architectures are then explored using BlIPP measurements of tightly packed straight and bent chains of spherical silver NPs. We observe the highly efficient propagation of energy around sharp corners with no additional bending losses. The findings of this thesis demonstrate the advantages and capabilities of using BlIPP propagation length measurement. Further, BlIPP is used to reveal the advantage of coupling light to sub-radiant modes of NP chains, which demonstrate the ability to guide light efficiently across long distances and around complex structures, bringing us a step closer to the goal of applying plasmonic devices and circuitry in ultra compact opto-electronic devices.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationSolis, David. "Bleach Imaged Plasmon Propagation (BlIPP) of Metallic Nanoparticle Waveguides." (2013) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/72041">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/72041</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.slug123456789/ETD-2013-05-494en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/72041en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectPlasmonicsen_US
dc.subjectGold nanowiresen_US
dc.subjectSurface plasmon polaritonen_US
dc.subjectNanoparticle chainsen_US
dc.subjectBleach imaged plasmon propagationen_US
dc.subjectPropagation lengthen_US
dc.titleBleach Imaged Plasmon Propagation (BlIPP) of Metallic Nanoparticle Waveguidesen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentApplied Physicsen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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