Active control of the optical properties of nanoscale coatings using 'smart' nanoparticles

Michael B. Cortie; Michael Barnett; Michael J. Ford

doi:10.1117/12.739251

17 September 2007 Active control of the optical properties of nanoscale coatings using 'smart' nanoparticles

Michael B. Cortie, Michael Barnett, Michael J. Ford

Proceedings Volume 6647, Nanocoatings; 664704 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.739251
Event: NanoScience + Engineering, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Coatings that can self-modulate their optical properties as a function of an external stimulus are of significant technological interest. In this regard, the possibilities for thermo- or electrochromic materials such as VO₂ and WO₃ are already comparatively well-known. Here, however, we explore a new kind of 'smart' coating, based on the active control of a plasmon resonance in nanoparticles. One possible system is based on the modulation of the plasmon resonance of a precious metal nanorod or nanosphere by an active dielectric shell. The active dielectric undergoes an insulator-to-metal transition on increase of temperature which modulates the plasmon resonance of the underlying precious metal nanoparticle, thereby changing the wavelength at which its optical extinction is maximum. In the case of nanorods, the absorption maximum of the longitudinal plasmon is particularly sensitive to the aspect ratio of the nanoparticle and the dielectric properties of the environment, and may be readily tuned across the visible and near-infrared portions of the spectrum. In addition, nanoparticles of certain thermochromic dielectrics, such as VO₂, are expected to have a plasmon resonance of their own which can be switched on or off by control of the temperature. We consider some of the possibilities, using both the discrete dipole approximation and the exact analytical solution due to Mie to calculate the optical properties.

Citation Download Citation

Michael B. Cortie, Michael Barnett, and Michael J. Ford "Active control of the optical properties of nanoscale coatings using 'smart' nanoparticles", Proc. SPIE 6647, Nanocoatings, 664704 (17 September 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.739251

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available