Search results for "nanostructure"

Tuning of an Optical Dimer Nanoantenna by Electrically Controlling Its Load Impedance

2009

International audience; Optical antennas are elementary units used to direct optical radiation to the nanoscale. Here we demonstrate an active control over individual antenna performances by an external electrical trigger. We find that by an in-plane command of an anisotropic load medium, the electromagnetic interaction between individual elements constituting an optical antenna can be controlled, resulting in a strong polarization and tuning response. An active command of the antenna is a prerequisite for directing light wave through the utilization of such a device.

Nanomaterials and phase sensitive based signal enhancment in surface plasmon resonance

2018

Measurement of small molecules in extremely dilute concentrations of analyte play an important role in different issues ranging from food industry to biological, pharmaceutical and therapeutical applications. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors can be a suitable choice for detection of small molecules based on interactions with biomolecules. However, sensitivity of the system for detection of these molecules is very low. Improving sensitivity has been a challenge for years. Therefore, different methods have been used to enhance SPR signals. The SPR signal enhancement using numerous nanomaterials has provided exciting results. Among various nanomaterials, metal nanoparticles (for instanc…

Cover Picture: Reversible Self-Assembly of Metal Chalcogenide/Metal Oxide Nanostructures Based on Pearson Hardness (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 41/2010)

2010

Morphological evolution of InAs/InP quantum wires through aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy

2010

Evolution of the size, shape and composition of self-assembled InAs/InP quantum wires through the Stranski–Krastanov transition has been determined by aberration-corrected Z-contrast imaging. High resolution compositional maps of the wires in the initial, intermediate and final formation stages are presented. (001) is the main facet at their very initial stage of formation, which is gradually reduced in favour of {114} or {118}, ending with the formation of mature quantum wires with {114} facets. Significant changes in wire dimensions are measured when varying slightly the amount of InAs deposited. These results are used as input parameters to build three-dimensional models that allow calcu…

Spatial carrier distribution in InP/GaAs type II quantum dots and quantum posts

2011

We performed a detailed investigation of the structural and optical properties of multi-layers of InP/GaAs quantum dots, which present a type II interface arrangement. Transmission electronic microscopy analysis has revealed relatively large dots that coalesce forming so-called quantum posts when the GaAs layer between the InP layers is thin. We observed that the structural properties and morphology affect the resulting radiative lifetime of the carriers in our systems. The carrier lifetimes are relatively long, as expected for type II systems, as compared to those observed for single layer InP/GaAs quantum dots. The interface intermixing effect has been pointed out as a limiting factor for…

Electron-induced limitation of surface plasmon propagation in silver nanowires

2013

Plasmonic circuitry is considered as a promising solution-effective technology for miniaturizing and integrating the next generation of optical nano-devices. A key element is the shared metal network between electrical and optical information enabling an efficient hetero-integration of an electronic control layer and a plasmonic data link. Here, we investigate to what extend surface plasmons and current-carrying electrons interfere in such a shared circuitry. By synchronously recording surface plasmon propagation and electrical output characteristics of single chemically-synthesized silver nanowires we determine the limiting factors hindering the co-propagation of electrical current and sur…

Dynamics of paramagnetic nanostructured rods under rotating field

2011

International audience; The dynamical rotational behavior of magnetic nanostructured rods based on the auto-association of maghemite nanoparticles and block-copolymers is probed by optical microscopy under rotating fields i n a s imple l iquid. The reorientation of the rods by a field rotated by 90° is first studied. The measured relaxation is characteristic of param-agnetic objects. Under a stationnary rotating field, a synchronous rotational regime is observed at low field frequency. Above a frequency threshold which scales as H^2 , the dynamics becomes asynchronous with back-and-forth rotations. These behaviors are well predicted by the presented model.

Applications of diatoms and silica nanotechnology in biosensing, drug and gene delivery, and formation of complex metal nanostructures

2011

Abstract Diatoms, single-cell eukaryotic microalgae, are present in nearly every water habitat and their silicon-dioxide (silica)-based cell walls of tens to hundreds of micrometers in size are the most interesting feature to be used in nanotechnology, including biosensing, drug delivery, molecular separation, molecular biology, biomimetics, frustule formation, and electronic, photonic, optical and structural materials. In this review, we present recent progress in applications of diatoms and silica nanomaterials in biosensing, drug and gene delivery, and formation of complex metal nanostructures.

Cerium-Doped Copper(II) Oxide Hollow Nanostructures as Efficient and Tunable Sensors for Volatile Organic Compounds

2018

Tuning sensing capabilities of simple to complex oxides for achieving enhanced sensitivity and selectivity toward the detection of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is extremely important and remains a challenge. In the present work, we report the synthesis of pristine and Ce-doped CuO hollow nanostructures, which have much higher VOC sensing and response characteristics than their solid analogues. Undoped CuO hollow nanostructures exhibit high response for sensing of acetone as compared to commercial CuO nanoparticles. As a result of doping with cerium, the material starts showing selectivity. CuO hollow structures doped with 5 at. % of Ce return highest response toward methanol sens…

Modelling nanoparticles formation in the plasma plume induced by nanosecond pulsed lasers

2012

International audience; Nanoparticles formation in a laser-induced plasma plume in the ambient air has been investigated by using numerical simulations and physical models. For high irradiances, or for ultrashort laser pulses, nanoparticles are formed by condensation, as fine powders, in the expanding plasma for very high pairs of temperature and pressure. At lower irradiances, or nanosecond laser pulses, another thermodynamic paths are possible, which cross the liquid-gas transition curve while laser is still heating the target and the induced plasma. In this work, we explore the growth of nanoparticles in the plasma plume induced by nanosecond pulsed lasers as a function of the laser irra…