title: Quantitative analysis of localized surface plasmons based on molecular probing.
abstract: We report on the quantitative characterization of the plasmonic optical near-field of a single silver nanoparticle. Our approach relies on nanoscale molecular molding of the confined electromagnetic field by photoactivated molecules. We were able to directly image the dipolar profile of the near-field distribution with a resolution better than 10 nm and to quantify the near-field depth and its enhancement factor. A single nanoparticle spectral signature was also assessed. This quantitative characterization constitutes a prerequisite for developing nanophotonic applications.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Nanotechnologie et d'Instrumentation Optique LNIO-ICD CNRS-UMR 6279, Université de Technologie de Troyes, Troyes, France.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deeb
authors.forename: Renaud
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bachelot
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Plain
authors.forename: Anne-Laure
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baudrion
authors.forename: Safi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jradi
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouhelier
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soppera
authors.forename: Prashant K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Libai
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ecoffet
authors.forename: Lavinia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balan
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Royer