Enhancing Plasmonic Performance with Au-Based Alloys

Recent research has introduced a novel multi-scale approach to enhance the performance of plasmonic near-field transducers (NFTs) through the design of gold (Au)-based alloys. The study, titled "Multiscale Design of Au-Based Alloys for Improved Plasmon Delivery and Nanoheating in Near-Field Transducers," was authored by Okan K. Orhan, Frank Daniel Bello, Nicolás Abadía, Ortwin Hess, John F. Donegan, and David D. O'Regan. The findings, submitted on August 26, 2024, focus on improving the electric and thermal properties of various noble metal alloys, particularly those involving gold.

The research highlights that NFTs are crucial for applications requiring nanoscale heating, such as medical devices and advanced data processing technologies. Traditional elemental gold, while effective for plasmonic applications, suffers from mechanical weaknesses when subjected to extreme temperature gradients. To address this, the authors explored alloying gold with other noble metals like silver (Ag), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt) to enhance thermal stability and mechanical robustness.

Key predictions from the study suggest that certain Au-Ag alloys could outperform pure gold in thermal stability while maintaining comparable plasmonic performance. Additionally, simulations indicated that low concentrations of palladium could preserve the performance of gold NFTs while improving thermal and mechanical stability. This research could pave the way for more durable and efficient plasmonic devices, which are essential in various high-tech fields, including nanotechnology and optoelectronics.

For further details, the full paper can be accessed at arXiv:2408.14451.