MASTER DE PHYSIQUE ET APPLICATIONS
Spécialité Sciences des Matériaux et Nano-objets
International Nanomat Master Program
Master thesis proposal (M2) 2015-2016
Laboratory: LPQM, ENS Cachan, Centrale Paris antenna
Address: Grande Voie des Vignes, Châtenay-Malabry
Laboratory director: Isabelle Ledoux-Rak
Internship supervisors: B. Palpant, H. Remita (LCP, Orsay)
Phone: 01 41 13 16 26 e-mail: bruno.palpant@ecp.fr
Website: http://www.lpqm.ens-cachan.fr/
Elaboration and photothermal transformation of nanostructured
materials for optics

Context
We want to study and exploit fundamental mechanisms linked with the
photothermal modification of the optical properties of materials containing
gold nanoparticles. These properties are dominated by the localized plasmon
resonance phenomenon, collective excitation of the conduction electrons
confined in the metal nano-object under a light wave. The size and shape of
the nanoparticles as well as their environment and spatial arrangement in the
host medium play an important role in the optical properties observed. In
addition, the effective photothermal conversion in these objects allows for
modulating the morphology at small scales. The photo-heating characteristics
at plasmon resonance strongly depend on the irradiation characteristics. This
project presents different developments in the field of nanomaterials: laser
writing of specific properties, generation of new visual effects based on
multiscale processes.

Artpiece from a virtual museum
Glass vase with gold nanoparticles
embedded (Simulation, CentraleSupélec).
Objectives and issues
The main goal is to conceive a method for modulating the optical properties of
nanomaterials by laser writing with multiscale effects. Beyond the developments
in terms of functional nanomaterials, the results obtained will be exploited for
realizing, and presenting in exhibitions, a piece of art in collaboration with an
artist designer specialized in glass.1.

Work to achieve
The student will elaborate polymer-based materials containing gold nanoparticles Temperature topography at the
surface of a water microdroplet
with different morphologies, and modify their optical properties by continuous or containing gold nanoparticles, 70 ps
pulsed laser irradiation (from 100 fs to cw). The effects obtained will be after irradiation by an ultrashort light
interpreted through optical modelling, from nanoscopic scale to macroscopic pulse.
one. The student will also participate to the realization of the piece of art in the artist’s workshop.
Techniques in use: chemical synthesis, continuous and pulsed laser processing, nanoscale optical modelling
Applicant skills: mainly experimentalist in chemistry and/or physics. Good knowledge in nanomaterials.
Key words: plasmon, gold nanoparticles, laser, art
Granted internship: yes
Matisse labex team: no
1
Art&Science project funded by La Diagonale Paris-Saclay: http://www.ladiagonale-paris-saclay.fr/nos-actions/or-nano/ . See
also: www.thomasinegiesecke.com
MASTER DE PHYSIQUE ET APPLICATIONS
Spécialité Sciences des Matériaux et Nano-objets
International Nanomat Master Program
Possibility for a thesis: yes