Characterisation of Au nanorod dynamics in optical tweezers via localised surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

We present a study of the trapping properties of Au nanorods of different aspect ratios in an optical tweezers and comparison with other characterization techniques like transmission electron microscope (TEM) imaging and dynamic light scattering (DLS). This study provides information on the dynamics and orientation of Au nanorods inside an optical trap based on a time study of their localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features. The results indicate that the orientation of the Au nanorods trapped in our optical tweezers varies with time and LSPR spectra can provide information on the angle of the nanorod with respect to the direction of propagation of the trapping laser.