Final Report Summary - PHOTONANOFLUIDIX (Self-assembly of confined colloidal objects for the study of nano-optic phenomena)
The aim of the proposal centered on investigating geometry-induced effects on the dynamics nano-objects in confined spaces. Based on an improved understanding of the interactions we sought to optimize the self-assembly of discrete charged metal or dielectric nano-objects into arrays with lattice constants comparable to the wavelength of light and to explore the use of these structures in photonics applications.
The major goals of the project have been met and resulted in a publication in Nature in 2010. In this publication we described a geometry-induced electrostatic trap for confining, arranging and manipulating single nanometric objects in solution.