Engineering The Properties of Metal Nanoparticle Arrays for Optoelectronic Applications

<i>This work focuses on a technique for the fabrication of ordered metal nanoparticle arrays with tunable particle diameter and inter-particle distance. The nanoparticle arrays were formed by a sequential solid state de-wetting process, using evaporated gold to fill the dimples of an anodized alumina membrane. The results show a direct correlation between the particle size and interparticle distance, factors that are determined by both the geometry of the dimples in the membrane as well as the volume of the evaporated gold. An experimental threshold for the evaporated gold film was determined, such that beyond a certain limit the existing nanoparticles were unable to preserve their ordering and spacing. This technique allows for fabricating ordered nanoparticle arrays with diameters ranging from 55 nm to about 85 nm, with inter-particle spacing's ranging from 10 nm to about 40 nm. This work is significant because ordered arrays of metal nanoparticles exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance, a phenomenon that can be taken advantage of in sensing applications</i>