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O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik
O 11: Poster Session I: Plasmonics and nanooptics I
O 11.2: Poster
Monday, March 1, 2021, 10:30–12:30, P
Fabricating ultra-narrow gaps in bow-ties utilizing strain junctions — •Florian Laible1, Kai Braun2, Martin Eberle2, Dieter P. Kern1, Alfred J. Meixner2, and Monika Fleischer1 — 1Institute for Applied Physics and Center LISA+, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany — 2Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and Center LISA+, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
Mechanically controllable break junctions (MCBJs) are widely used to create sub-1 nm gaps between two metal contacts. In this regime, the width of the gap can be controlled with Angstrom precision using the tunnel effect. The ability to create ultra-narrow gaps in bow-tie antennas is desirable for investigations on the interplay of localized plasmonics and electron tunneling, as well as for SERS applications since ultra-narrow gaps are promising highly enhanced near fields. The integration of nanoantennas into MCBJs is challenging since the localization of the plasmon and the mechanical properties of the break junction have to be preserved simultaneously. We present an approach to reach ultra-narrow gaps between two nanoantennas in the focus of a confocal microscope. A gapless bow-tie antenna is integrated into a mechanically controllable break junction. The nanostructure is optically decoupled from the electrical leads. The gap is created by bending the substrate, causing the nanoantenna to break at its thinnest point. The gap size is measured using electron tunneling and controlled by changing the bend of the substrate. Combined electrical and optical measurements will be presented alongside the fabrication process.