Anisotropic plasmons in Au/GaAs(001) structures with gold nanoclusters

Abstract

The structures Au/GaAs(001) with gold nanoclusters are created by annealing of Au films deposited onto GaAs surface. The samples are diagnosed stepwise by scanning probe microscopy. Using reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy, Au clusters are established to possess plasmons with the in-surface anisotropy. The measured anisotropy spectrum consists of a resonant feature near the energy of 2 eV typical of local plasmons of Au clusters. The results are explained theoretically, and the new spectral feature is assigned to anisotropic plasmons of Au nanoclusters located on GaAs surface.