Open AccessProbing dynamics at interfaces: resonance enhanced dynamic light scattering
Author(s) -
Markus A. Plum,
Werner Steffen,
George Fytas,
Wolfgang Knoll,
Bernhard Menges
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.17.010364
Subject(s) - scattering , light scattering , materials science , optics , surface plasmon polariton , dynamic light scattering , surface plasmon resonance , surface plasmon , plasmon , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , physics , nanoparticle
Experiments addressing supramolecular dynamics at interfaces are of paramount importance for the understanding of the dynamic behaviour of polymers, particles, or cells at interfaces, transport phenomena to and from surfaces, thin films or membranes. However, there are only few reports in the literature due to the paucity of experimental methods that offer the required spatial and time resolution. Evanescent wave dynamic light scattering originally developed to meet these needs has limited sensitivity and is restricted to glass substrates. Here we report the first experimental realization of a dynamic light scattering experiment close to an interface using surface plasmon polaritons as light source offering a strong increase in the signal to noise ratio and allowing for the use of metallic interfaces. As a proof of concept, we consider the diffusion of particles with radii down to 10nm in dilute dispersions close to a gold surface.