Method for Improving Metallic Nanostructure Stability

A method for fabricating a plasmonic display with improved metallic nanostructure stability, the method comprising:

• providing a glass substrate;
• depositing a transparent bottom electrode overlying the glass substrate;
• forming metallic nanostructures having a first diameter overlying the transparent bottom electrode;
• annealing the metallic nanostructure in an atmosphere including an inert gas and H2;
• in response to the annealing, forming stabilized metallic nanostructures;
• exposing the stabilized metallic nanostructures to an ambient air environment;
• maintaining the stabilized metallic nanostructure first diameter after exposure to the ambient air atmosphere;
• depositing a liquid crystal dielectric layer overlying the stabilized metallic nanoparticles;
• and,
• depositing a transparent top electrode overlying the liquid crystal dielectric.

A plasmonic display with stable metallic nanostructures, the display comprising:

• a glass substrate;
• a transparent bottom electrode overlying the glass substrate;
• annealed metallic nanostructures overlying the transparent bottom electrode;
• a liquid crystal dielectric layer overlying the annealed metallic nanoparticles;
• and,
• a transparent top electrode overlying the liquid crystal dielectric.