Reversible light-controlled formation and evaporation of rubidium clusters in nanoporous silica

Year: 2006

Authors: Burchianti A., Bogi A., Marinelli C., Maibohm C., Mariotti E., Moi L.

Autors Affiliation: CNISM, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Siena, I-53100 Siena, Italy

Abstract: We observe reversible light assisted formation and evaporation of rubidium clusters embedded in nanoporous silica. Metallic nanoparticles are cyclically produced and evaporated by weak blue-green and near-infrared light, respectively. The atoms photodetached from the huge surface of the silica matrix build up clusters, whereas cluster evaporation is increased by induced surface plasmon excitation. Frequency tuning of light activates either one process or the other and the related changes of glass transparency become visible to the naked eye. We demonstrate that the porous silica, loaded with rubidium, shows memory of illumination sequences behaving as a rereadable and rewritable optical medium. These processes take place as a consequence of the strong confinement of atoms and particles at the nanoscale.

Journal/Review: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS

Volume: 97 (15)      Pages from: 157404-1  to: 157404-4

More Information: PubMed ID: 17155358
KeyWords: Metallic nanoparticles; Rubidium clusters; Surface plasmon excitation, Evaporation; Infrared radiation; Nanostructured materials; Porous materials; Silica; Surface plasmon resonance, Rubidium compounds, metal nanoparticle; rubidium; silicon dioxide, article; bleaching; chemistry; surface plasmon resonance, Metal Nanoparticles; Photobleaching; Rubidium; Silicon Dioxide; Surface Plasmon Resonance
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.157404

Citations: 32
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