Harmonically Paired Nanoparticles for Second Harmonic Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The effect of plasmonic coupling of harmonically resonant metal and semi-metallic nanoparticles is relatively unexplored, and existing technologies do not effectively harness the enhanced surface plasmon resonances for applications such as second harmonic generation and multiphoton photoluminescence.

Innovation Solution

A harmonically paired set of particles, where one particle is a metal (e.g., Au, Ag, Cu) and the other is a semiconductor (e.g., CuS, ZnO) separated by a dielectric layer, exhibiting plasmonic resonance coincident with harmonics of the other, enhancing second harmonic generation and multiphoton photoluminescence without direct electron transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If metal and semiconductor nanoparticles are placed in direct contact to enhance plasmonic coupling, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but direct electron transfer occurs causing energy loss and reduced stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal nanoparticle and semiconductor nanoparticle. This dielectric spacer prevents direct electron transfer while maintaining close proximity for efficient dipole-dipole coupling, thus preserving both energy transfer efficiency and system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the dielectric layer thickness is reduced to enhance coupling strength, then plasmonic resonance enhancement is improved, but direct electron transfer begins to occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplasmonic resonance enhancementVSAvoidelectron transfer prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thickness of the dielectric layer is precisely controlled within the range of 1-10 nm. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain strong dipole-dipole coupling for enhanced plasmonic resonance while preventing direct electron transfer between particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If harmonically paired particles are used to enhance second harmonic generation, then optical conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical conversion efficiencyVSAvoidparticle pairing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plasmonic resonance frequencies of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles are tuned to satisfy harmonic relationships (e.g., fundamental frequency and second harmonic). This frequency parameter matching enables enhanced second harmonic generation while maintaining a relatively simple core-shell or paired particle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The harmonically paired nanoparticles demonstrate enhanced second harmonic generation and multiphoton photoluminescence, outperforming individual components and conventional nonlinear crystals like beta-barium borate, with an analytic enhancement factor of 1.74 and increased efficiency per unit thickness.

Implementation Method 1

The particles are separated by a dielectric layer, where the dielectric layer is of a thickness such that direct electron transfer does not occur between the harmonically paired set of particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric isolation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

The harmonically paired set of particles can have a plasmonic resonance of one of the paired particles that is coincident with the harmonics of the plasmonic resonance of the other of the paired particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasmonic resonance coupling: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

Hybrid structures comprising metallic and semiconductor nanoparticles can exhibit enhanced surface plasmon resonances (SPR) due to dipole-dipole interactions that couple an excitonic state of the semiconductor to the plasmonic resonance of the metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface plasmon resonance:

Implementation Method 4

enhancing second harmonic generation and multiphoton photoluminescence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSecond harmonic generation: Second Harmonic Generation

Implementation Method 5

enhancing second harmonic generation and multiphoton photoluminescence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultiphoton photoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS11726386B2Plasmon coupling materials, methods of making plasmon coupling materials, methods of using plasmon coupling materials and systems and devices that include plasmon coupling materials

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 VANDERBILT UNIV

AI summary

The present disclosure provides for materials (e.g., films, mixtures, and colloidally suspended in solution) including two types of particles (e.g., nanoparticles) that exhibit harmonic surface plasmon resonances (SPR), where these are referred to as harmonically paired set of particles. The present disclosure provides for harmonically paired set of particles, where the particles are separated by a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a thickness such that direct electron transfer does not occur between the harmonically paired set of particles. The harmonically paired set of particles can be included in harmonically paired set of particle system or devices which can be a component in measurement systems or devices.