Abstract
Plasmonic interactions between two metallic tips are dynamically studied in a supercontinuum dark-field microscope and the transition between coupled and charge-transfer plasmons is directly observed in the sub-nm regime. Simultaneous measurement of the dc current, applied force, and optical scattering as the tips come together is used to determine the effects of conductive pathways within the plasmonic nano-gap. Critical conductances are experimentally identified for the first time, determining the points at which quantum tunnelling and conductive charge transport begin to influence plasmon coupling. These results advance our understanding of the relationship between conduction and plasmonics, and the fundamental quantum mechanical behaviours of plasmonic coupling.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 32988 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Scientific Reports |
Volume | 6 |
Early online date | 9 Sep 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 9 Sep 2016 |
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Richard Bowman
- Department of Physics - Royal Society University Research Fellow & Proleptic Reader
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistical Applied Mathematics (SAMBa)
- Centre for Biosensors, Bioelectronics and Biodevices (C3Bio)
- Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation
Person: Research & Teaching, Researcher