Novel magnetoplasmonic strategies: magneto-optical study on co-doped semiconductor nanocrystals and noble metal nanohybrids

This thesis explores novel strategies in magnetoplasmonics, focusing on enhancing the magneto-optical properties of nanomaterials for potential applications in refractometric sensing and other fields. The research primarily involves two approaches: magnetically co doped Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) nanocrystals and gold nanodisk-magnetic nanoparticle hybrids with enhanced control over spatial positioning of magnetic centers. In the first approach, ITO nanocrystals were synthesized and doped with magnetic cations (Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, Gd³⁺ and Tb³⁺) to improve the magnetoplasmonic responses. Detailed magnetometric and magneto-optical characterizations were conducted to understand the influence of these dopants. The study found interesting deviations from expected pure paramagnetic behavior, indicating potential for enhanced magneto-optical applications and warranting further investigation into their magnetic coupling properties. The second approach involved the fabrication of gold nanodisk-magnetic nanoparticle hybrids using plasmon assisted two-photon photopolymerization (TPP). This technique introduced precise spatial control, resulting in nanohybrids with potential for nanoscale magnetic field detection. The optical and magneto-optical analyses revealed effective interaction between the plasmonic and magnetic components, suggesting these hybrids could be useful in high-precision magnetic sensing applications. Overall, this research advances the field of magnetoplasmonics by presenting new methodologies for materials with combined magnetic and plasmonic properties. The findings highlight the potential applications of these advanced materials in various technological domains and set the stage for future exploration and optimization of magnetoplasmonic devices.