The phase-response effect of size-dependent optical enhancement in a single nanoparticle.

We demonstrate detailed simulations and experiments of near-field phase-response in a single silver nanoparticle. The plasmon-photon interaction is directly observed in the vicinity of silver nanoparticles through a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM). Our results manifest the correlation of phase-response and size-dependent optical enhancement. Detailed interference behaviors between optical excitation and plasmon mediated re-radiation are revealed on a single particle basis. This observation facilitates nano-applications in controlling the spatial distribution of surface plasmon (SP) modes by means of nanostructures.