Photoluminescence modulation of ZnO via coupling with the surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles

TL;DR

This study demonstrates how coupling ZnO thin films with gold nanoparticle surface plasmon resonance can modulate their photoluminescence, controlled by spacer thickness and excitation polarization.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence and theoretical validation for tuning ZnO emission via plasmonic coupling with gold nanoparticles.

Findings

Photoluminescence intensity varies with spacer layer thickness.

Emission can be controlled by excitation polarization.

Enhanced photoluminescence achieved through plasmonic coupling.

Abstract

In this letter, we study how coupling between AuNPs and ZnO thin films affects their emission properties. The emission intensity of ZnO thin films changes when Al2O3 spacer layer of different thickness are included in ZnO/Au films, consistent with theoretical predictions. The emission properties are also controlled using the polarization of the excitation source. Emission properties depended on the polarization of the excitation source because of the surface plasmon resonance of AuNPs. The photoluminescence anisotropy of these systems shows that enhanced photoluminescence can be achieved through coupling of the emission from ZnO with the surface plasmon resonance of AuNPs.