Optical response of a single gold nanoparticle

Abstract

Optical detection and spectroscopy of single gold nanoparticles using the spatial-modulation spectroscopy technique is described, focusing on the connection between the nanoparticle and environment parameters with the measured linear optical extinction spectrum. Characterisation of the size, shape and orientation on the substrate of a nanoparticle through quantitative determination of its optical extinction cross-section spectrum is illustrated in the case of gold nanospheres and nanorods. Extension of this technique to ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy of a single gold nanoparticle is also discussed.