Our research group studies the unique optical and chemical properties of metal nanomaterials for a wide range of applications. We focus on the development and understanding of plasmonic antennas with broad applications in sensing, spectroscopy, and manipulation of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. The fundamental understanding gained from our research impacts many areas of science and engineering, include micro- and nano-scale device fabrication, nano-scale imaging, nanolithography, catalysis, and sensing and spectroscopy platform development. Our research has been consistently supported by multiple funding agencies through single investigator awards, collaborative research, and center-based efforts.
We use top-down structural design and bottom-up assembly to control and study the optical properties of plasmonic nanomaterials. The research approaches focus on the fabrication and optical characterization of well-defined, fabricated metal nanostructures and the development of surface functionalization methods to build multi-particle assemblies. We are especially interested in how light can be manipulated at the nanoscale using these plasmonic architectures. Our methods include nanosphere template lithography for creating infrared-active plasmonic structures. We also use a new fabrication method to produce aluminum plasmonic nanostructures which further broadens the opportunity to design plasmonic antennas for the ultraviolet spectral region and to develop plasmonic antennas based on an Earth-abundant materials.

The interdisciplinary research requires methods and tools from physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, surface chemistry, materials science, nano\microfabrication, optics, spectroscopy, and microscopy. We regular interface with scientists and engineers outside of the Chemistry Department through collaborations and the use of scientific instruments.