Nano-antennas with decoupled transparent leads for optoelectronic studies

Abstract Performing electrical measurements on single plasmonic nanostructures presents a challenging task due to the limitations in contacting the structure without disturbing its optical properties. In this work, we show two ways to overcome this problem by fabricating bow-tie nano-antennas with indium tin oxide leads. Indium tin oxide is transparent in the visible range and electrically conducting, but non-conducting at optical frequencies. The structures are prepared by electron beam lithography. Further definition, such as introducing small gaps, is achieved by focused helium ion beam milling. Dark-field reflection spectroscopy characterization of the dimer antennas shows typical unperturbed plasmonic spectra with multiple resonance peaks from mode hybridization.