A plasmonic nano-antenna with controllable resonance frequency: Cu1.94S–ZnS dimeric nanoheterostructure synthesized in solution

Abstract

This work presents a strategy for fine control of the localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) frequency of nano-antennas by constructing dimeric nanoheterostructures, in which the first phase serves as a plasmonic resonance source, while the second one as a tunable component for the fine-control of the LSPR frequency. Following this strategy, Cu_1.94S–ZnS dimeric nanoheterostructures are synthesized in solution, with Cu_1.94S being the plasmonic resonance source while ZnS the tunable dielectric component. An ideal equivalent electric circuit model is established to simulate the optical response of the nano-antennas. By managing the growth of the ZnS nanocrystals, the LSPR peak is proved designable and controllable in the range of 1390 nm–1680 nm, which renders the material potentially applicable in telecommunication. The reported results may provide new strategies for designing and fabricating various technologically important nano-devices.