ERA NANOSCI: Properties and optical response of single hybrid semiconductor-metal nanoparticles

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Carsten Sönnichsen
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2007 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 40095930

Hybrid nanoobjects formed by two or more different materials are among the most promising and versatile nanosystems. They are still little exploited their development presenting important fundamental challenges. This project focuses on the design and synthesis of novel hybrid metal-semiconductor nanoobjects, on characterizing them and investigating their linear and nonlinear optical responses at the single nanoobject level, and on modeling their new properties. Because of particle to particle structural fluctuations, study of a single identified particle is required to correlate its geometry and structure to its properties and to compare them with theoretical models. This will be made possible by the complementary and unique expertises of the four partners on synthesis, characterization, optical study, and modeling of nanoparticles. The acquired new knowledge will be used to improve their properties, in particular, for potential application of a single nanohybrid as optical biolabel.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France, Israel, Italy
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Uri Banin; Dr. Rosa Di Felice; Dr. Fabrice Vallee