Morphology effects on the optical properties of silver nanoparticles.

Employing methods developed for the control of shape and size in silver nanoparticles, we have compared the optical properties of nanorods, nanoprisms, nanodisks, and nanospheres. Solutions of these particles show distinct surface plasmon resonant absorption signatures that are directly correlated with the symmetries of their morphology. Nonlinear optical behavior for suspensions of these nanostructures, for nanosecond pulses at 532 and 1064 nm, have been correlated to plasmon resonances determined by shape and size.