摘要
Creating nanoscale and sub-nanometer gaps between noble metal nanoparticles is critical for the applications of plasmonics and nanophotonics. To realize simultaneous attainments of both the op- tical spectrum and the gap size, the ability to tune these nanoscale gaps at the sub-nanometer scale is particularly desirable. Many nanofabrication methodologies, including electron beam lithography, self-assembly, and focused ion beams, have been tested for creating nanoscale gaps that can de- liver significant field enhancement. Here, we survey recent progress in both the reliable creation of nanoscale gaps in nanoparticle arrays using self-assemblies and in the in-situ tuning techniques at the sub-nanometer scale. Precisely tunable gaps, as we expect, will be good candidates for future investigations of surface-enhanced Raman scattering, non-linear optics, and quantum plasmonics.
Creating nanoscale and sub-nanometer gaps between noble metal nanoparticles is critical for the applications of plasmonics and nanophotonics. To realize simultaneous attainments of both the op- tical spectrum and the gap size, the ability to tune these nanoscale gaps at the sub-nanometer scale is particularly desirable. Many nanofabrication methodologies, including electron beam lithography, self-assembly, and focused ion beams, have been tested for creating nanoscale gaps that can de- liver significant field enhancement. Here, we survey recent progress in both the reliable creation of nanoscale gaps in nanoparticle arrays using self-assemblies and in the in-situ tuning techniques at the sub-nanometer scale. Precisely tunable gaps, as we expect, will be good candidates for future investigations of surface-enhanced Raman scattering, non-linear optics, and quantum plasmonics.