Size and Shape Resonances in Second Harmonic Generation from Silver Nanocavities

The nonlinear response of subwavelength nanocavities in thin silver films are investigated. We report on significant enhancements of the second harmonic generation (SHG) when the fundamental wavelength matches dimensional resonances within the nanocavities. The nonlinear polarization properties of the nanocavities are studied as well and found to be correlated with the cavity shape and symmetry. In some nanocavities with internal nanocorrugations, giant field enhancements are observed, making them excellent candidates for high sensitivity spectroscopy.