Sample interview questions: Can you explain the concept of plasmonic nanoantennas and their potential applications?
Sample answer:
Plasmonic nanoantennas are nanoscale devices that harness the unique optical properties of metallic nanostructures to manipulate and enhance light at the nanoscale. These structures, typically made of noble metals like gold or silver, exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), a phenomenon where light interacts with free electrons in the metal, causing collective oscillations and intense localization of electromagnetic fields.
Applications of Plasmonic Nanoantennas:
-
Biosensing: Plasmonic nanoantennas can be used to detect and analyze biological molecules. By functionalizing the nanoantenna surface with specific receptors, it can selectively bind to target molecules, causing changes in the LSPR properties and generating measurable signals.
-
Enhanced Spectroscopy: Plasmonic nanoantennas can enhance the sensitivity and resolution of spectroscopic techniques by concentrating and amplifying the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the nanoantenna. This improved sensitivity enables the detection of weak signals and identification of specific molecular species.
-
Photovoltaics: Plasmonic nanoantennas can be incorporated into photovoltaic devices to improve light absorption and energy conversion efficiency. By engineering t… Read full answer