Gold nanorods (GNRs) have unique optical properties. GNRs can be excited in the near-infrared range and their photoluminescence is bright and stable. Because of this, GNRs have a large range of...Show moreGold nanorods (GNRs) have unique optical properties. GNRs can be excited in the near-infrared range and their photoluminescence is bright and stable. Because of this, GNRs have a large range of possible applications, including use as labels or as biosensors. For these kinds of applications, it is important to be able to determine a GNR’s properties with high accuracy. Here we characterize single gold nanorods by five properties: their 3D position, plasmon resonance and orientation. The position of GNRs is determined with a sub-nanometer error in x, y and a 3 nm error in z. The surface plasmon resonance wavelength and the orientation of GNRs are determined with errors of <0.1 nm and 0.1 deg respectively. This is achieved by applying a four-dimensional fit to a stack of two-photon photoluminescence images. The methods presented in this thesis can be used to improve accuracy in the aforementioned applications of GNRs.Show less
We look at a mechanical metamaterial whose stiffness does not scale inversely proportional to its length. We perform tensile tests to study the relation between the length and the stiffness of the...Show moreWe look at a mechanical metamaterial whose stiffness does not scale inversely proportional to its length. We perform tensile tests to study the relation between the length and the stiffness of the metamaterial. We find two regimes for the stiffness, which are separated by a characteristic length. We explain the cause of this length and show that we can alter its value. Lastly we set up a model that simulates the behavior of the metamaterial in tension and can reproduce the experimental data.Show less
