Novel Plasmonic Probes and Smart Superhydrophobic Devices, New Tools for Forthcoming Spectroscopies at the Nanoscale

Abstract

In this work we review novel strategies and new physical effects to achieve compositional and structural recognition at single molecule level. This chapter is divided in two main parts. The first one introduces the strategies currently adopted to investigate matter at few molecules level. Exploiting the capability of surface plasmon polaritons to deliver optical excitation at nanoscale, we introduce a technique relying on a new transport phenomenon with chemical sensitivity and nanometer spatial resolution. The second part describes how micro and nanostructured superhydrofobic textures can concentrate and localize a small number of molecules into a well-defined region, even when only an extremely diluted solution is available. Several applications of these devices as micro- and nano-systems for high-resolution imaging techniques, cell cultures and tissue engineering applications are also discussed

Exploring Reliable and Efficient Plasmonic Nanopatterning for Surface- and Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopies

“…Even in Italy, there is very lively activity on this topic, but the detailed description of these studies is beyond the scope of the present paper. Here, we limit ourselves to mentioning only a few recent and remarkable reviews and book chapters by Italian authors [36][37][38][39][40][41][42]. For more information on the trend of Italian research, one can visit the website www.plasmonica.it (accessed on 14 September 2023).…”

A portable picometer reference actuator with 100 µm range, picometer resolution, subnanometer accuracy and submicroradian tip-tilt error for the characterization of measuring instruments at the nanoscale

“…Their functional units are developed by continuously refining processes either bottom up, atom by atom, or top down like in single-atom layer chemical vapor deposition [13][14][15][16]. With the nanofabrication techniques it is possible to realize, for example, quantum plasmonic devices and metamaterial [17], nanoplasmonic resonator [18][19][20], and surface plasmon or single atom laser optoelectronic devices [21]. Also 2D ICT, based on graphene and on other functionalized layers of chalcogenides hybrid metals, has demonstrated new unique electronic behavior, with physical, chemical and mechanical properties that rely on the specific bonding structure on the nanoscale.…”