Size-Dependent Optical Properties of Metallic Nanostructures

Abstract

Metallic nanostructures are a key component of current and future nanotechnology devices since their individual properties convey the appropriate characteristics for applications in several fields of science and technology. At the nanoscale size, optical properties of metal structures depend not only on the type of material but also on the dimensions and geometry of the structure, suggesting the possibility of tuning optical resonances through appropriate engineering. In this chapter, we will describe methods for calculation of size-dependent optical properties of metal nanostructures and show the successful use of extinction spectroscopy technique to determine the size of nanoparticles (Nps).