One-dimensional plasmon coupling by facile self-assembly of gold nanoparticles into branched chain networks

Short chains and complex networks of interconnected An nanoparticle chains (see Figure) are produced by a simple template-free approach. Optical spectroscopy and computer simulations show that surface plasmons from individual non-contacting nanoparticles are strongly coupled in the resulting 1D superstructures. These chains may provide a unique way to fabricate complex subwavelength optical waveguides.