Quantitative Measurement of the Optical Cross Sections of Single Nano-objects by Correlative Transmission and Scattering Microspectroscopy
Open Access
- 21 July 2019
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in ACS Photonics
- Vol. 6 (8), 2149-2160
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.9b00727
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 microspectroscopy and wide-field image analysis, offering fine spectral information and high throughput sample characterization. Accurate cross-section determination requires 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.Keywords
Funding Information
- Royal Society (WM140077)
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/I005072/1, EP/M028313/1, EP/R51150X/1)
- FP7 People: Marie-Curie Actions (607842)
- Welsh Government's Life Sciences Bridging Fund (LSBF/R6-005)
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