Metallic Nanostructures Adapted for Electromagnetic Field Enhancement
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsLuke P. Lee, Yu Lu, Gang L. Liu, Jaeyoun Kim
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to metallic nanophotonic crescent structures, or “nanocrescent SERS probes,” that enhance detectable signals to facilitate molecular detections. More particularly, the nanocrescent SERS probes of the disclosure possess specialized geometries, including an edge surrounding the opening that is capable of enhancing local electromagnetic fields. Nanosystems utilizing such structures are particularly useful in the medical field for detecting rare molecular targets, biomolecular cellular imaging, and in molecular medicine.
Claims30
A nanostructure that undergoes Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) when contacted with electromagnetic radiation at near infrared wavelengths.
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A metallic nanostructure comprising a spherical, asymmetrical tapered metallic shell having a single round opening surrounded by an edge, wherein the nanostructure has an inner radius r and an outer radius R, wherein said outer radius R is greater than the inner radius r, and wherein the nanostructure has a greatest thickness opposite the opening, and wherein the edge has a thickness that is less than the greatest thickness.
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A method for making a nanostructure comprising:
- a) dispersing template nanostructures on a surface;
- b) depositing one or more metal materials onto the template nanostructure to form coated nanostructures;
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- c) removing the coated nanostructures from the surface, wherein the surface of the template nanostructure in contact with the surface comprises less metal material than any other part of the template nanostructure.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.