Thesis defense of Marlo VEGA

Thesis defense of Marlo VEGA, PhD student in the Biophotonics group of the Laboratoire Charles Fabry, on 02 July 2024 at 2:00pm, in hybrid mode, in the Auditorium of the Institut d'Optique Graduate School in Palaiseau, on the topic: "Experimental and theoretical study of ultra-fast photo-thermal effects in nanoparticle arrays - application to local control of surface chemistry".

Abstract: "The excitation of metal nanoparticles through short pulses of light induces localized photo-thermal effects capable of altering their surface chemistry. This research aims to investigate and harness these effects for the precise manipulation of molecule distribution on nanoparticles at a local level. Initially, the heterogeneity of photo-thermal effects on the surface of asymmetrical cross-shaped nanostructures was theoretically and experimentally highlighted and controlled. Subsequently, a methodology was developed to induce surface chemistry degradation and then label this degradation using silica nanoparticles. This process revealed localized degradation of molecules on the nanostructure’s surface with a spatial resolution of a few tens of nanometers. These findings pave the way for the development of plasmonic sensors optimized for the detection of molecules at very low concentrations".