Molecular plasmonics represents an interdisciplinary research field based on photonics, electronics and biology. It is focused on plasmonic phenomena at molecularly conjugated hybrid metal/ bionanostructures. The basic principle for design and construction of novel plasmonic nanostructures is the combination of bottom-up and top-down strategies of molecular nanotechnology. The building blocks are chemically synthesized and lithographically prepared nano/ microstructures and designer particles (see scheme). (Bio) functionalized nano components can be combined by using high selective biomolecule-biomolecule interactions, like DNA hybridization.

Molecular plasmonics offers the potential to the rational development of a new generation of nano scale photonic devices and the development of novel markers and detection principles for bioanalytics.

Molecular Way (The route to molecular construction devices)

• Synthesis of nanostructures with customized plasmonic properties
  Chemically synthesized and lithographically prepared nanostructures, Core-shell nanoparticles, controlled shell growth
• Molecular construction
  Biofunctionalization of plasmonic components, hybrid nanostructures, micro/nano integration
• Correlative nanostructure characterization
  AFM, TEM, REM, Optical microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and Single-nanostructure spectroscopy (dark-field), In-situ monitoring
• Applications for bioanalytics und nanophotonics
  Nano biomanipulation, Bioanalytics