Topological Nanocolloids with Facile Electric Switching of Plasmonic Properties

Ye Yuan, Ivan Smalyukh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus Citations

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 languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)5630-5633
Number of pages4
JournalOptics Letters
Volume40
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5900-66200

Keywords

  • liquid crystals
  • plasmonics

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