Heterogeneity in Dynamic Metamolecules

Here, we fabricated spherical assemblies of metal nanobeadswith size or material heterogeneity to study how the mismatch in the strengthand energy of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of nanobead building blocksaffects the global magnetic resonance modes. In binary metamolecules(BMMs) composed of 15 and 45 nm Au beads, small 15 nm beads can act asthe medium between sparsely placed large nanobeads and enhance the overallplasmon coupling, resulting in a strong and narrow magnetic dipoleresonance. In BMMs made of Au and Ag nanobeads of the same size, thecoupling between Au and Ag nanobeads significantly contributes to themagnetic resonance modes, affecting both their strength and position, while itdoes not significantly affect electric modes. These results provide valuableguidelines for the fabrication of colloidal metamolecules with desiredmetamaterial properties

Automated summary

The study focuses on the impact of mismatch in strength and energy of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on global magnetic resonance modes in nanobead assemblies of different sizes or materials. Results show that in binary metamolecules (BMMs) composed of different sized gold beads, small beads enhance overall plasmon coupling, while in BMMs made of gold and silver beads of the same size, coupling significantly affects magnetic resonance modes. These findings provide valuable guidelines for the fabrication of colloidal metamolecules with desired metamaterial properties.