Absorption efficiency of gold nanorods determined by quantum dot fluorescence thermometry

In this work quantum dot fluorescence thermometry, in combination with double-beam confocal microscopy, has been applied to determine the thermal loading of gold nanorods when subjected to an optical excitation at the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance. The absorbing/heating efficiency of low (approximate to 3) aspect ratio gold nanorods has been experimentally determined to be close to 100%, in excellent agreement with theoretical simulations of the extinction, absorption, and scattering spectra based on the discrete dipole approximation. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4718605]