Quantitative measurement of the optical cross-sections of single nano-objects by correlative transmission and scattering micro-spectroscopy

Zilli, Attilio, Langbein, Wolfgang ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9786-1023 and Borri, Paola ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7873-3314 2019. Quantitative measurement of the optical cross-sections of single nano-objects by correlative transmission and scattering micro-spectroscopy. ACS Photonics 6 (8) , pp. 2149-2160. 10.1021/acsphotonics.9b00727

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Abstract

The scattering and absorption of light by nano-objects is a key physical property exploited in many applications, including biosensing and photovoltaics. Yet, its quantification at the single object level is challenging, and often requires expensive and complicated techniques. We report a method based on a commercial transmission microscope to measure the optical scattering and absorption cross-sections of individual nano-objects. The method applies to micro-spectroscopy and wide-field image analysis, offering fine spectral information and high throughput sample characterization. Accurate cross-section determination requires a detailed modeling of the measurement, which we develop, accounting for the geometry of the illumination and detection, as well as for the presence of a sample substrate. We demonstrate the method on three model systems (gold spheres, gold rods, and polystyrene spheres), which include metallic and dielectric particles, spherical and elongated, placed in a homogeneous medium or on a dielectric substrate. Furthermore, by comparing the measured cross-sections with numerical simulations, we are able to determine structural parameters of the studied system, such as the particle diameter and aspect ratio. Our method therefore holds the potential to complement electron microscopy as a simpler and cost-effective tool for structural characterization of single nano-objects.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Physics and Astronomy Biosciences
Publisher:	American Chemical Society
ISSN:	2330-4022
Funders:	European Union, Research Executive Agency, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Welsh Government
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	22 July 2019
Date of Acceptance:	22 July 2019
Last Modified:	24 Mar 2024 15:02
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/124407

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