PME Distinguished Colloquium Series Seminar - Dr. Jeremy Baumberg

How light moves metals: Massively enhanced optical forces from atomic-scale light confinement at molecular-metal surfaces<br /><br />

Our ability to trap light into extreme nanoscale gaps between coinage metals using plasmonics has enabled routine vibrational measurements of molecular monolayers, even within active molecular electronics devices. I show how plasmonically-enhanced light-induced van-der-Waals forces pulls single adatoms from metal facets, to create ‘picocavities’ which confine light to volumes smaller than a single atom. The thousand-fold stronger optical forces depend on both nearby molecules and local optical field. Coordination bonds with individual molecules can be tracked in real-time or their fluctuating redox state observed. Such spectroscopy reveals a wealth of information, from how voltages twist conducting molecules, to how catalysis operates at individual adatoms.

<a href="https://uchicago.zoom.us/j/96344936061?pwd=ZGY4emxsZzY1UWNEYlJ5RElLOXhR… Link</a>