Prof. Adi Salomon

Salomon lab combined unique expertise both in surface chemistry and in nanophotonics. We design and  synthesis hybrid materials which are based on adsorption of molecules on  metallic nano structures, aiming to new molecular systems with specific optical  properties. Using state of the art fabrication technique available at BINA nano center and wet chemistry, we fabricate metallic nano-structures (particles or holes). Such metallic nano structures act as antenna for the light energy and thus enhance and focus the light field at specific frequencies, much depending on the metallic geometrical parameters.  Molecules located in proximity to such surfaces are experienced a very strong field and thus their physical/photo-physical properties are altered.  We studied those unique properties by optical set-up’s available at Salomon’s lab where the idea is to achieve control on the photo-chemical processes of the studied molecular system. Long rang energy transfer processes between molecules, photochemistry on surfaces, energy conversion systems and non linear optical properties are examples for on-going researches at Salomon Lab.  Salomon Lab is also part of the INREP group, collaboration between several leading groups in the field of batteries for electrical cars.

Research topics: plasmonics,  molecules-surface plasmons interaction, molecular dynamics, strong coupling systems. Near field spectroscopy, Second  Harmonic Generation (SHG)

1. Fabrication of Metallic nanostructures

Development of unique technique for fabrication of metallic nanostructures

We fabricate and/or synthesis our own metallic nanostructures!

The sample quality is highly important and imperfections may degrade the performance.

We use state-of the art fabrication techniques such as Focus Ion Beam (FIB).

Figure 1:  examples of nano-structures milled in Ag, Au and Al using FIB.

 see also:

http://jap.aip.org/resource/1/japiau/v111/i12/p124320_s1

     2. Properties of metallic nanostructures

What happens when the metallic particles are smaller than the wavelength of light?

Much before scientists set down to study the unique properties metallic nano particles, they have been used by artists in color glass windows.

The colors we see are due to excitation of surface plasmons, which are coherent oscillations of the metal free electrons.  These frequencies, at which the electrons oscillate, depend on the metal type, the environment, its size and its shape.

Holes milled in thin metallic films, are complementary structures to nano particles.  They lead to the same phenomena of localized and enhanced of electromagnetic field and colorful metallic surfaces.

We study the unique linear and nonlinear properties of these metallic systems when they interact with light.

Applications: nano antennas, nanolasers, biosensors

3.  Long range dipole-dipole interaction between molecules

In the free space interaction between molecules occurs when they are in close proximity to each other (touching).

We will try to reach long range interaction between molecules by using surface plasmon modes as a mediator for the energy.

see also:

http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.073002

4.  Organization of molecular systems and/or nanoparticles on surfaces.

1. The project deals with organization of molecules, polymers, nano particles or clusters  on surfaces.
2. The project deals with organization of metallic nano particles on surfaces using ligands to connect between the nanoparticles

Applications: medicine and biosensor

5. Batteries for electrical cars

As part of the INREP group, we are working on improving Batteries for electrical cars;

Our goal is to determine the changes in interfacial potential and surface charge densities of the Si anode in order to improve the no of cycles. We are currently built a unique optical set-up for characterization.