title: Optically-driven collapse of a plasmonic nanogap self-monitored by optical frequency mixing.
abstract: A nanoparticle separated from a metallic surface by a few-nanometer thick polymer layer forms a nanoscale junction, or nanogap. Illuminating this structure with ultrashort optical pulses, exciting the plasmon resonance, results in a continuous, monitorable collapse of the nanogap. The four-wave mixing signal generated by this illumination of the nanogap provides a simultaneous monitoring of the collapse, increasing dramatically upon gap closure. Collapse is irreversible, occurring with simultaneous ablation of the dielectric from the junction.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Nanophotonics, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.
authors.forename: Nathaniel K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Grady
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Rizia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bardhan
authors.forename: Naomi J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Halas