Topological Nanocolloids with Facile Electric Switching of Plasmonic Properties
Combining topology and plasmonics paradigms in nanocolloidal systems may enable new means of pre-engineering desired composite material properties. Here we design and realize orientationally ordered assemblies of noble metal nanoparticles with genus-one topology and unusual long-range ordering mediated by their interactions with the surrounding nematic fluid host. Facile electric switching of these composites is reminiscent of that of pristine liquid crystals (LCs), but provides a means of reconfiguring the nanoparticle assembly and thus also the ensuing composite medium's optical properties. Our findings may lead to formation of new molecular-colloidal soft matter phases with unusual optical properties, as well as optical metamaterials.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1244674
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA-5900-66200
- Journal Information:
- Optics Letters, Vol. 40, Issue 23; ISSN 0146-9592
- Publisher:
- Optical Society of America (OSA)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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