Quantitative absorption spectroscopy of a single gold nanorod

The spectrally- and polarization-resolved absorption cross-sections of a single gold nanorod have been investigated using the spatial modulation spectroscopy technique. The ensemble of its optical features, that is, longitudinal and transverse surface plasmon resonances and interband absorption, has been quantitatively characterized. The results are compared with numerical simulations using the discrete dipole approximation and the finite element method, yielding information on the investigated nanorod size and shape.