Plasmonic metamaterials are artificially structured materials with the inclusion of metallic elements regarded as macroscopically uniform mediums. These materials showcase adaptable optical characteristics achieved through manipulation of the materials' intrinsic geometries at scales much finer than the wavelength of the incident electromagnetic radiation under consideration.
This dissertation focuses on the fabrication methodologies and applications of plasmonic metamaterials in perfect absorption and plasmonic sensing. Plasmonic metamaterials, distinguished by their ability to manipulate electromagnetic radiation through engineered subwavelength structures, have garnered significant attention for their potential in various fields, including photonics, sensing, and energy harvesting.
The dissertation examines current fabrication techniques for plasmonic metamaterials, focusing on additive manufacturing approaches. The advantages of two-photon polymerization for the fabrication of plasmonic metamaterials is discussed in detail along with more traditional techniques like electron beam vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition. The advantages and limitations of each approach are scrutinized, laying the groundwork for subsequent investigations into tailored designs for specific applications.
Building upon the foundation of fabrication techniques, two distinct applications of plasmonic metamaterials are examined. Firstly, the concept of perfect absorption, wherein the metamaterial is engineered to efficiently absorb incident electromagnetic radiation across a narrow spectral range. Through theoretical modeling and experimental validation, novel designs for achieving perfect absorption are proposed and characterized. The investigated designs leverage the unique optical properties of plasmonic metamaterials to enhance light-matter interactions.
Subsequently, the utilization of these architectures for sensing applications is demonstrated. By exploiting the sensitivity of surface plasmon resonance to changes in the local refractive index, plasmonic metamaterials offer unprecedented opportunities for label-free, real-time detection of biomolecules, gases, and other analytes.
This dissertation showcases the potential practical applications of plasmonic metamaterials in perfect absorption and plasmonic sensing. It contributes to the ongoing advancement of plasmonic metamaterials and their seamless integration into cutting-edge photonics and sensing technologies.