Controlling the resonance wavelength in plasmonic nanostructures is a key to developing disruptive optical technologies. By connecting two plasmonic nanoparticles with a thin metallic bridge, forming a metamolecule, the resonance wavelength can be precisely tailored by controlling the interparticle charge transfer. This opens up the innovative ability to mimic other plasmonic structures and tune the absorption peak to arbitrary wavelengths. To create these nanometer size scale charge transfer plasmon metamolecules while simultaneously providing high throughput for material applications, plasmonic nanoparticles can be non-thermally welded into discrete morphologies interconnected with metallic nanojunctions, using molecular assembly and femtosecond laser pulses. The size, shape, and material of the nanojunction linking the nanoparticles control the amount of charge transferred, and ultimately the absorption peak wavelength. Therefore, understanding and controlling the formation and morphology of the nanojunction during the femtosecond time scale welding process is critical to developing these engineered materials. Applicants should have demonstrated expertise in ultrafast spectroscopies. Candidates should send a cover letter, CV, and at least one letter of recommendation to Dr. Jake Fontana (jake.fontana@nrl.navy.mil). Additional postdoctoral information can be found at http://hroffice.nr.navy.mil/iobs/postdoc.htm.

 

1.           Johns, P.;  Suess, R. J.;  Charipar, N.; Fontana, J., Ultrafast Welding Dynamics of Plasmonic Nanorod Dimers. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2019, 123 (24), 15209-15216.

2.           Fontana, J.;  Nita, R.;  Charipar, N.;  Naciri, J.;  Park, K.;  Dunkelberger, A.;  Owrutsky, J.;  Piqué, A.;  Vaia, R.; Ratna, B., Widely Tunable Infrared Plasmonic Nanoantennas Using Directed Assembly. Advanced Optical Materials 2017, 5 (21), 1700335-n/a.

3.           Fontana, J.;  Charipar, N.;  Flom, S. R.;  Naciri, J.;  Piqué, A.; Ratna, B. R., Rise of the Charge Transfer Plasmon: Programmable Concatenation of Conductively Linked Gold Nanorod Dimers. ACS Photonics 2016, 3 (5), 904-911.

 

key words

Ultrafast; Femtosecond; Self-assembly; Nonlinear optics; Plasmonics; Metamaterials; Laser; Nanoantenna; Infrared; Tunable; Physics; Chemistry;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants