Integrating collapsible plasmonic gaps on near-field probes for polarization-resolved mapping of plasmon-enhanced emission in 2D material.

Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) is an important technique used to study the optical properties of material systems at the nanoscale. In previous work, we reported on the use of nanoimprinting to improve the reproducibility and throughput of near-field probes including complicated optical antenna structures such as the 'campanile' probe. However, precise control over the plasmonic gap size, which determines the near-field enhancement and spatial resolution, remains a challenge. Here, we present a novel approach to fabricating a sub-20 nm plasmonic gap in a near-field plasmonic probe through the controlled collapse of imprinted nanostructures using atomic layer deposition (ALD) coatings to define the gap width. The resulting ultranarrow gap at the apex of the probe provides a strong polarization-sensitive near-field optical response, which results in an enhancement of the optical transmission in a broad wavelength range from 620 to 820 nm, enabling tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TEPL) mapping of 2-dimensional (2D) materials. We demonstrate the potential of this near-field probe by mapping a 2D exciton coupled to a linearly polarized plasmonic resonance with below 30 nm spatial resolution. This work proposes a novel approach for integrating a plasmonic antenna at the apex of the near-field probe, paving the way for the fundamental study of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.

Near-Field Coupling with a Nanoimprinted Probe for Dark Exciton Nanoimaging in Monolayer WSe2.

Tip-enhanced photoluminescence (TRPL) is a powerful technique for spatially and spectrally probing local optical properties of 2-dimensional (2D) materials that are modulated by the local heterogeneities, revealing inaccessible dark states due to bright state overlap in conventional far-field microscopy at room temperature. While scattering-type near-field probes have shown the potential to selectively enhance and reveal dark exciton emission, their technical complexity and sensitivity can pose challenges under certain experimental conditions. Here, we present a highly reproducible and easy-to-fabricate near-field probe based on nanoimprint lithography and fiber-optic excitation and collection. The novel near-field measurement configuration provides an ∼3 orders of magnitude out-of-plane Purcell enhancement, diffraction-limited excitation spot, and subdiffraction hyperspectral imaging resolution (below 50 nm) of dark exciton emission. The effectiveness of this high spatial XD mapping technique was then demonstrated through reproducible hyperspectral mapping of oxidized sites and bubble areas.

Sharp, high numerical aperture (NA), nanoimprinted bare pyramid probe for optical mapping.

The ability to correlate optical hyperspectral mapping and high resolution topographic imaging is critically important to gain deep insight into the structure-function relationship of nanomaterial systems. Scanning near-field optical microscopy can achieve this goal, but at the cost of significant effort in probe fabrication and experimental expertise. To overcome these two limitations, we have developed a low-cost and high-throughput nanoimprinting technique to integrate a sharp pyramid structure on the end facet of a single-mode fiber that can be scanned with a simple tuning-fork technique. The nanoimprinted pyramid has two main features: (1) a large taper angle (∼70°), which determines the far-field confinement at the tip, resulting in a spatial resolution of 275 nm, an effective numerical aperture of 1.06, and (2) a sharp apex with a radius of curvature of ∼20 nm, which enables high resolution topographic imaging. Optical performance is demonstrated through evanescent field distribution mapping of a plasmonic nanogroove sample, followed by hyperspectral photoluminescence mapping of nanocrystals using a fiber-in-fiber-out light coupling mode. Through comparative photoluminescence mapping on 2D monolayers, we also show a threefold improvement in spatial resolution over chemically etched fibers. These results show that the bare nanoimprinted near-field probes provide simple access to spectromicroscopy correlated with high resolution topographic mapping and have the potential to advance reproducible fiber-tip-based scanning near-field microscopy.

Nanoimprinted High-Refractive Index Active Photonic Nanostructures Based on Quantum Dots for Visible Light.

A novel method to realizing printed active photonic devices was developed using nanoimprint lithography (NIL), combining a printable high-refractive index material and colloidal CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) for applications in the visible region. Active media QDs were applied in two different ways: embedded inside a printable high-refractive index matrix to form an active printable hybrid nanocomposite, and used as a uniform coating on top of printed photonic devices. As a proof-of-demonstration for printed active photonic devices, two-dimensional (2-D) photonic crystals as well as 1D and 2D photonic nanocavities were successfully fabricated following a simple reverse-nanoimprint process. We observed enhanced photoluminescence from the 2D photonic crystal and the 1D nanocavities. Outstandingly, the process presented in this study is fully compatible with large-scale manufacturing where the patterning areas are only limited by the size of the corresponding mold. This work shows that the integration of active media and functional materials is a promising approach to the realization of integrated photonics for visible light using high throughput technologies. We believe that this work represents a powerful and cost-effective route for the development of numerous nanophotonic structures and devices that will lead to the emergence of new applications.

Hybrid photonic-plasmonic near-field probe for efficient light conversion into the nanoscale hot spot.

In this Letter, we present a design and simulations of the novel hybrid photonic-plasmonic near-field probe. Near-field optics is a unique imaging tool that provides optical images with resolution down to tens of nanometers. One of the main limitations of this technology is its low light sensitivity. The presented hybrid probe solves this problem by combining a campanile plasmonic probe with the photonic layer, consisting of the diffractive optic element (DOE). The DOE is designed to match the plasmonic field at the broad side of the campanile probe with the fiber mode. This makes it possible to optimize the size of the campanile tip to convert light efficiently into the hot spot. The simulations show that the hybrid probe is ∼540 times more efficient compared with the conventional campanile on average in the 600-900 nm spectral range.

Campanile Near-Field Probes Fabricated by Nanoimprint Lithography on the Facet of an Optical Fiber.

One of the major challenges to the widespread adoption of plasmonic and nano-optical devices in real-life applications is the difficulty to mass-fabricate nano-optical antennas in parallel and reproducible fashion, and the capability to precisely place nanoantennas into devices with nanometer-scale precision. In this study, we present a solution to this challenge using the state-of-the-art ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL) to fabricate functional optical transformers onto the core of an optical fiber in a single step, mimicking the 'campanile' near-field probes. Imprinted probes were fabricated using a custom-built imprinter tool with co-axial alignment capability with sub <100 nm position accuracy, followed by a metallization step. Scanning electron micrographs confirm high imprint fidelity and precision with a thin residual layer to facilitate efficient optical coupling between the fiber and the imprinted optical transformer. The imprinted optical transformer probe was used in an actual NSOM measurement performing hyperspectral photoluminescence mapping of standard fluorescent beads. The calibration scans confirmed that imprinted probes enable sub-diffraction limited imaging with a spatial resolution consistent with the gap size. This novel nano-fabrication approach promises a low-cost, high-throughput, and reproducible manufacturing of advanced nano-optical devices.

Nanoimprint of a 3D structure on an optical fiber for light wavefront manipulation.

Integration of complex photonic structures onto optical fiber facets enables powerful platforms with unprecedented optical functionalities. Conventional nanofabrication technologies, however, do not permit viable integration of complex photonic devices onto optical fibers owing to their low throughput and high cost. In this paper we report the fabrication of a three-dimensional structure achieved by direct nanoimprint lithography on the facet of an optical fiber. Nanoimprint processes and tools were specifically developed to enable a high lithographic accuracy and coaxial alignment of the optical device with respect to the fiber core. To demonstrate the capability of this new approach, a 3D beam splitter has been designed, imprinted and optically characterized. Scanning electron microscopy and optical measurements confirmed the good lithographic capabilities of the proposed approach as well as the desired optical performance of the imprinted structure. The inexpensive solution presented here should enable advancements in areas such as integrated optics and sensing, achieving enhanced portability and versatility of fiber optic components.

High refractive index Fresnel lens on a fiber fabricated by nanoimprint lithography for immersion applications.

In this Letter, we present a Fresnel lens fabricated on the end of an optical fiber. The lens is fabricated using nanoimprint lithography of a functional high refractive index material, which is suitable for mass production. The main advantage of the presented Fresnel lens compared to a conventional fiber lens is its high refractive index (n=1.68), which enables efficient light focusing even inside other media, such as water or an adhesive. Measurement of the lens performance in an immersion liquid (n=1.51) shows a near diffraction limited focal spot of 810 nm in diameter at the 1/e2 intensity level for a wavelength of 660 nm. Applications of such fiber lenses include integrated optics, optical trapping, and fiber probes.

Printable photonic crystals with high refractive index for applications in visible light.

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) of functional high-refractive index materials has proved to be a powerful candidate for the inexpensive manufacturing of high-resolution photonic devices. In this paper, we demonstrate the fabrication of printable photonic crystals (PhCs) with high refractive index working in the visible wavelengths. The PhCs are replicated on a titanium dioxide-based high-refractive index hybrid material by reverse NIL with almost zero shrinkage and high-fidelity reproducibility between mold and printed devices. The optical responses of the imprinted PhCs compare very well with those fabricated by conventional nanofabrication methods. This study opens the road for a low-cost manufacturing of PhCs and other nanophotonic devices for applications in visible light.

Revealing Optical Properties of Reduced-Dimensionality Materials at Relevant Length Scales.

Reduced-dimensionality materials for photonic and optoelectronic applications including energy conversion, solid-state lighting, sensing, and information technology are undergoing rapid development. The search for novel materials based on reduced-dimensionality is driven by new physics. Understanding and optimizing material properties requires characterization at the relevant length scale, which is often below the diffraction limit. Three important material systems are chosen for review here, all of which are under investigation at the Molecular Foundry, to illustrate the current state of the art in nanoscale optical characterization: 2D semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides; 1D semiconducting nanowires; and energy-transfer in assemblies of 0D semiconducting nanocrystals. For each system, the key optical properties, the principal experimental techniques, and important recent results are discussed. Applications and new developments in near-field optical microscopy and spectroscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and cathodoluminescence in the electron microscope are given detailed attention. Work done at the Molecular Foundry is placed in context within the fields under review. A discussion of emerging opportunities and directions for the future closes the review.

Dynamic force spectroscopy of photoswitch-modified DNA.

We apply a combination of photoswitch-modified DNA and AFM-based pulling measurements to study the force-induced melting of double-stranded DNA in the unzipping geometry. We measure the differences in peak rupture force for azobenzene-modified DNA, as the incorporated azobenzenes are photoswitched reversibly between the trans and the cis form. Fitting our rupture force versus loading rate data, we obtain off rate (koff) at zero force values in the range of ∼10 s(-1). We show that the change in peak rupture force and koff induced by destabilizing the DNA duplex depends on the position of the destabilizing azobenzene photoswitch relative to the force-loading site. When the azobenzenes are proximal to the unzipping end, the decrease in peak force and koff upon azobenzene photoisomerization is significantly larger than when the azobenzene is distal to the site of force loading. We interpret these results as experimental evidence supporting the picture that the destabilization of a double-stranded DNA by a photoswitch isomerization is localized to a small bubble around the photoswitch.

Electron accumulation on metal nanoparticles in plasmon-enhanced organic solar cells.

Plasmonic metal nanoparticles have been used to enhance the performance of thin-film devices such as organic photovoltaics based on polymer/fullerene blends. We show that silver nanoprisms accumulate long-lived negative charges when they are in contact with a photoexcited bulk heterojunction blend composed of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT/PCBM). We report both the charge modulation and electroabsorption spectra of silver nanoprisms in solid-state devices and compare these spectra with the photoinduced absorption spectra of P3HT/PCBM blends containing silver nanoprisms. We assign a previously unidentified peak in the photoinduced absorption spectra to the presence of photoinduced electrons on the silver nanoprisms. We show that coating the nanoprisms with a 2.5 nm thick insulating layer can completely inhibit this charging. These results may inform methods for limiting metal-mediated losses in plasmonic solar cells.

Quantum dot/plasmonic nanoparticle metachromophores with quantum yields that vary with excitation wavelength.

Coupled plasmonic/chromophore systems are of interest in applications ranging from fluorescent biosensors to solar photovoltaics and photoelectrochemical cells because near-field coupling to metal nanostructures can dramatically alter the optical performance of nearby materials. We show that CdSe quantum dots (QDs) near single silver nanoprisms can exhibit photoluminescence lifetimes and quantum yields that depend on the excitation wavelength, in apparent violation of the Kasha-Vavilov rule. We attribute the variation in QD lifetime with excitation wavelength to the wavelength-dependent coupling of higher-order plasmon modes to different spatial subpopulations of nearby QDs. At the QD emission wavelength, these subpopulations are coupled to far-field radiation with varying efficiency by the nanoprism dipolar resonance. These results offer an easily accessible new route to design metachromophores with tailored optical properties.

Spectral control of plasmonic emission enhancement from quantum dots near single silver nanoprisms.

The near-field effects of plasmonic optical antennas are being explored in applications ranging from biosensors to solar cells. We demonstrate that photoluminescence emission enhancement from CdSe quantum dots (QDs) can be obtained in the absence of any excitation enhancement near single silver nanoprisms. The spectral dependence of the radiative and nonradiative decay rate of the QDs closely follows the silver nanoparticle plasmon scattering spectrum. Using both experiment and theory we show that, in the absence of excitation enhancement, the ratio of radiative to nonradiative decay rate enhancement is proportional to the silver nanoparticle scattering efficiency. These results provide guidelines both for separating excitation and emission enhancement effects in sensing and device applications and for tailoring emission enhancement effects using plasmonic nanostructures.

Plasmon-enhanced charge carrier generation in organic photovoltaic films using silver nanoprisms.

We use photoinduced absorption spectroscopy to measure long-lived photogenerated charge carriers in optically thin donor/acceptor conjugated polymer blend films near plasmon-resonant silver nanoprisms. We measure up to 3 times more charge generation, as judged by the magnitude of the polaron absorption signal, in 35 nm thin blend films of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/phenyl-C(61)-butyric acid methyl ester on top of films of silver nanoprisms (approximately 40-100 nm edge length). We find that the polaron yields increase linearly with the total sample extinction. These excitation enhancements could in principle be used to increase photocurrents in thin organic solar cells.

Phase transfer of large anisotropic plasmon resonant silver nanoparticles from aqueous to organic solution.

We describe the phase transfer of large, anisotropic, silver nanoparticles (approximately 50-100 nm edge length) from water to polar organics such as alcohols, acetone, dimethylformamide and to nonpolar hexanes. We transferred the silver nanoparticles to the polar organic solvents via their precipitation in water by centrifugation and redispersion in organics. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and UV-vis extinction spectra, we confirmed that there was little to no shape change in the nanoparticles upon transfer to the polar solvents. The nanoparticles were stable for months in the polar organics. We also transferred the nanoparticles to hexanes with up to 75% phase transfer efficiency by using sodium oleate as a surfactant. We found the extinction spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the nanoparticles were similar in water and hexanes, indicating that exchange into hexanes resulted in an only slight change in shape. The nanoparticles were stable for at least 10 days in hexanes under appropriate conditions. The phase transfer efficiency decreased with an increase in the size of the nanoparticles. These results open the possibility for the conjugation of large, anisotropic plasmon resonant silver nanoparticles with organic dyes or their blends with conjugated polyelectrolytes for fundamental optical studies and applications.

Space charge limited current measurements on conjugated polymer films using conductive atomic force microscopy.

We describe local (~150 nm resolution), quantitative measurements of charge carrier mobility in conjugated polymer films that are commonly used in thin-film transistors and nanostructured solar cells. We measure space charge limited currents (SCLC) through these films using conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM) and in macroscopic diodes. The current densities we measure with c-AFM are substantially higher than those observed in planar devices at the same bias. This leads to an overestimation of carrier mobility by up to 3 orders of magnitude when using the standard Mott-Gurney law to fit the c-AFM data. We reconcile this apparent discrepancy between c-AFM and planar device measurements by accounting for the proper tip-sample geometry using finite element simulations of tip-sample currents. We show that a semiempirical scaling factor based on the ratio of the tip contact area diameter to the sample thickness can be used to correct c-AFM current-voltage curves and thus extract mobilities that are in good agreement with values measured in the conventional planar device geometry.

Dependence of fluorescence intensity on the spectral overlap between fluorophores and plasmon resonant single silver nanoparticles.

We investigate the fluorescence from dyes coupled to individual DNA-functionalized metal nanoparticles. We use single-particle darkfield scattering and fluorescence microscopy to correlate the fluorescence intensity of the dyes with the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectra of the individual metal nanoparticles to which they are attached. For each of three different dyes, we observe a strong correlation between the fluorescence intensity of the dye and the degree of spectral overlap with the plasmon resonance of the nanoparticle. On average, we observe the brightest fluorescence from dyes attached to metal nanoparticles that have a LSPR scattering peak approximately 40-120 meV higher in energy than the emission peak of the fluorophore. These results should prove useful for understanding and optimizing metal-enhanced fluorescence.