Active aerosols

TL;DR

This paper introduces active aerosols composed of gold nanorods in air, demonstrating their dynamic control and optical properties under electric fields, paving the way for novel component-less optical devices.

Contribution

It presents the first demonstration of active aerosols with controllable optical responses using electric fields, establishing a new class of component-less optics.

Findings

Gold nanorod aerosols exhibit controllable orientation and position.

Electric fields enable light filtering, valving, and gradient responses.

Active aerosols function as a new type of optical element.

Abstract

We report the dynamics and control of the orientational and positional order of ensembles of gold nanorods suspended in air at standard temperature and pressure using externally applied electric fields, demonstrating an active aerosol. Light filter, valve and gradient responses are shown, establishing active aerosols as a unique type of optical element we term component-less optics.