title: Plasmon-based nanolenses assembled on a well-defined DNA template.
abstract: The controlled and reproducible synthesis of closely spaced noble metal nanoparticle groupings is an essential step toward the rational design of nanostructures for surface enhanced Raman scattering with single-molecule sensitivity. In this communication, we demonstrate the facile synthesis of 5, 8, and 18 nm gold particle groupings on a well-defined DNA template by hybridizing monoconjugated gold-DNA building blocks. The obtained nanometer interparticle gaps should yield local intensity enhancements up to 4 orders of magnitude as estimated by Generalized Mie Theory. By tuning the particle size and relative curvatures, we calculate that the maximum enhancement can be optimized and localized on a specific part of the nanostructure. These groupings act as plasmon-based nanolenses assembled on a biomolecular backbone that can be functionalized in proximity to the region of highest field.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF, Kruislaan 407, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. sebastien.bidault@normalesup.org
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bidault
authors.forename: F Javier García de
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Abajo
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polman
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010316:Particle Size; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D006046:Gold; D004247:DNA