Controlling linear and nonlinear optical properties associated with surface plasmon resonance effect of colloidal gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Metallic nanoparticles have been intensively investigated aiming the development of more efficient nonlinear materials. Owing to the surface plasmon excitation and the enhancement of local field effects, metallic nanostructured solids and colloids may present large local and nonlocal nonlinear optical responses [1–3]. However, gold nanoparticles (AuNP) agglomeration in solid hosts or colloids is a drawback for their use in optical applications. Recently, we have shown that castor oil can be used as stabilizer for colloids containing AuNP [4]. Nevertheless, there is a huge interest to develop other synthetic methods that produce stable colloids, with an effective control over the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of AuNP.