Abstract
Combining topology and plasmonics paradigms in nanocolloidal systems may enable new means of pre-engineering desired composite material properties. Here we design and realize orientationally ordered assemblies of noble metal nanoparticles with genus-one topology and unusual long-range ordering mediated by their interactions with the surrounding nematic fluid host. Facile electric switching of these composites is reminiscent of that of pristine liquid crystals (LCs), but provides a means of reconfiguring the nanoparticle assembly and thus also the ensuing composite medium's optical properties. Our findings may lead to formation of new molecular-colloidal soft matter phases with unusual optical properties, as well as optical metamaterials.
Original language | American English |
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Pages (from-to) | 5630-5633 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Optics Letters |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 23 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2015 |
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/JA-5900-66200
Keywords
- liquid crystals
- plasmonics