Dynamic and reversible tuning of pixelated plasmonic cluster arrays

Active plasmonic systems have attracted numerous research interests as they play a central role in functional devices and many emerging applications. However, the current tuning strategies are either static/irreversible or inconvenient with limited tunability and reproducibility. Here, we show a dynamic and reversible tuning of pixelated plasmonic cluster arrays embedded in elastomers that is fast, easy to operate and highly reproducible. This active plasmonic system is fabricated via template-assisted self-assembly, followed by the nanomolding process. These hybrid plasmonic elastomers show a prominent and reversible shift of coupled plasmons with the stimuli of solvents or mechanical forces, which can be monitored in real time using the scattering spectra. Patterning of this hybrid plasmonic system can be facilely achieved via laser direct writing due to the photothermal ablation, which has great implications in high resolution flexible displays, anti-counterfeiting, microfluidic flow catalysis, sensing and diagnosis.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a dynamic and reversible tuning of active plasmonic systems with pixelated plasmonic cluster arrays embedded in elastomers. The system is fast, easy to operate, and highly reproducible, showing a prominent and reversible shift of coupled plasmons with stimuli of solvents or mechanical forces. The system can be patterned via laser direct writing, making it applicable in various fields such as high resolution flexible displays, anti-counterfeiting, sensing, and diagnosis.