THE SCHOOL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Under the provisions of the regulations for the degree

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

on Friday, June 9, 2017

1:00 PM
in MoSE 3201A

will be held the

DISSERTATION DEFENSE

for

Jeffrey Geldmeier

"Design of Multicomponent Nanostructured Surfaces with Tailored Optical Properties"

Committee Members:

Prof. Vladimir Tsukruk, Advisor, MSE

Prof. Zhiqun Lin, MSE

Prof. Younan Xia, BME/CHEM

Prof. Seung Soon Jang, MSE

Prof. Wenshan Cai, MSE/ECE

Abstract:

Two ways of manipulating light-matter interactions at the nanoscale are through the use of noble metal plasmonic nanostructures and semiconductor quantum dots. However, the majority of previous studies focus on single particle properties in solution rather than the properties of organized and substrate-bound arrays and films. Understanding and guiding the assembly behavior of nanostructures at surfaces in a large-scale and controllable manner has important ramifications for controlling resultant unique optical properties.

In particular, this work focuses on tailoring the optical properties of plasmonic nanostructures and quantum dots by controlling their assembly and coupling interactions using polymeric components such as matrices, layers, and shells. Primary objectives were the design and fabrication of assemblies that featured broadband absorption, resonance modulation, or emission enhancement. Ultimately, this research provides insight into the assembly of composite inorganic-organic materials on surfaces, leads to a new level of understanding for coupling effects on the nanoscale, and guides future designs for optical applications.