Smart Component for Switching of Plasmon Resonance by External Electric Field

A new approach for preparation of active plasmonic component with capability to switch on/off localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) by piezoelectric effect is described. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was patterned by polarized KrF excimer laser beam. The polarization was perpendicular to polymer orientation introduced during the poling procedure. Consequently the silver nanoclusters were sputtered onto the polymer surface. Application of an external electric field leads to polymer stretching and surface smoothening. Simultaneously, silver clusters are elongated and interconnected; this process leads to dramatic decrease of surface resistance and complete quenching of plasmon related absorption.