Ultra-sensitive photon sensor based on self-assembled nanoparticle plasmonic membrane resonator

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate an ultra-sensitive photon sensor based on a membrane mechanical resonator for the first time, which consists of free-standing one-particle-thick super-lattice sheet of self-assembled nano-particles. Because of plasmon resonance, the membrane resonator has very strong light-matter interaction, which converts photos to heat at very high efficiency. Also, the organic-inorganic hybrid nature of the membrane owns an extremely photon-sensitive stiffness. Experimental results indicate that only under a low optical radiation power of 15 mW/cm2, the resonator shows an obvious frequency shift of 40% (from 55.2 to 34.1 kHz), which is around two or three orders of magnitude higher than that for conventional mechanical resonators.