Resonant wavelength tuning of localized plasmons in silver-aluminum nanoparticles

Abstract

We have succeeded in tuning the localized surface plasmon resonant wavelength in Ag-Al nanoparticles (NPs) by using the Al content. The plasmon resonant wavelength of the Ag-Al NP ensemble shifts toward a shorter wavelength from 590 to 510 nm (approximately 80 nm) with an increase in the Al content from 0 to 7.16 atomic percent (at.%). A theoretical interpretation and model for the experimental results are presented. The effective dielectric functions are modeled by taking into account the variations in both the bulk plasma frequency and the structural information on the Ag-Al NPs with the Al content