The major aim of this project is to provide a deeper understanding of the intrinsic two-photon excited photoluminescence (TPE PL) of AuNRs, an interesting and complex second-order non-linear optical effect in plasmonic NPs. We propose to extend the investigations on AuNRs from immobilized state onto solid substrate to inserted in tissue-like phantoms, promoting them as reliable contrast agents in real life imaging applications.
Therefore, the main objectives that we want to fulfil throughout our project are:
to prepare stable colloidal polymer-stabilized AuNRs (P-AuNRs) with tunable surface plasmons relative to the NIR light we want to use to trigger their intrinsic TPE PL
to investigate the origin of intrinsic PL in single and coupled AuNRs by performing steady-state and time-resolved TPE PL and dark-field scattering combined microscopy and spectroscopy studies on P-AuNRs immobilized on solid substrate
to demonstrate the ability of AuNRs to perform as imaging contrast agents by monitoring the TPE PL of P-AuNRs in tissue-like phantoms under non-invasive NIR excitation.