Topological nanocolloids with facile electric switching of plasmonic properties

TL;DR

This paper reports the design and realization of topologically complex nanocolloids that can be electrically switched to alter their optical properties, combining topology, plasmonics, and liquid crystal interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to create and control topologically ordered nanoparticle assemblies with electric switching capabilities.

Findings

Successful fabrication of genus-one topological nanoparticle assemblies

Electric switching enables reconfiguration of optical properties

Potential for new optical metamaterials and soft matter phases

Abstract

Combining topology and plasmonics paradigms in nanocolloidal systems may enable new means of pre-engineering desired composite material properties. Here we design and realize orientationally ordered assemblies of noble metal nanoparticles with genus-one topology and unusual long-range ordering mediated by their interactions with the surrounding nematic fluid host. Facile electric switching of these composites is reminiscent to that of pristine liquid crystals (LCs), but provides a means of reconfiguring the nanoparticle assembly and thus also the ensuing composite medium's optical properties. Our findings may lead to formation of new molecular-colloidal soft matter phases with unusual optical properties as well as optical metamaterials.