Time and space resolved studies on metallic nanoparticles

Abstract

The dynamics of laser-excited electronic excitations (localized surface plasmons) in spherical Ag nanoparticles is studied by phase and time resolved two photon photoemission (TR-2PPE) and photoelectron emission microscopy (TR-PEEM). A two-dimensional array of nearly identical, parallelly oriented particles is deposited lithographically on a transparent ITO covered glass substrate. We are able to show that the parallel acquisition mode of the PEEM enables us to resolve local variations in the ultrafast electron dynamics in the nanoparticles with an accuracy of 1fs and a lateral resolution in the nanometer regime. A qualitative interpretation of the mapped inhomogeneities in the local electron dynamics is provided.