Scalable nano-particle assembly by efficient light-induced concentration and fusion

Avalanche concentration, a rapid, long-range accumulation of particles around a laser spot in a liquid sample, is demonstrated and characterized for various nanoparticles (NPs). The effect is driven by a convective flow in the sample, caused by efficient heating of NPs with high absorption efficiencies. Several types of concentration behavior were observed and characterized. Control of optical power and initial particle density was found to be effective in determining the assembly process. VO(2) nanowires, carbon nanotube (CNT), and quantum dot (QD) electrode gap bridges were assembled with a variety of sizes and geometries to show the utility of the method for nano-assembly. Bridges were assembled from as many as thousands to as few as one NP and were found to form solid electrical contact between the electrodes, as verified by measuring the current--voltage (I-V) characteristic.