Metal Nanoparticle/Photosystem I Protein Hybrids Coupled to Microantenna Afford Biologically and Electronically Controlled Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance: Implications for Fast Data Processing

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) holds greatpromisefor the next generation of fast nanoscale optoelectronic devices,as silicon-based electronic devices approach fundamental speed andscaling limitations. However, in order to fully exploit the potentialof plasmonics, devices and material systems capable of actively controllingand manipulating plasmonic response are essential. Here, we demonstrateactive control of the electric field distribution of a microantennaby coupling LSPRs to a photosynthetic protein with outstanding optoelectronicproperties and a long-range and efficient exciton transfer ability.The hybrid biosolid state active platform is able to tune and modulatethe optical activity of a microplasmonic antenna via the interactionof the bioactive material with plasmon oscillations occurring in theantennae. In addition, we demonstrate that the effect of the couplingcan be further enhanced and controlled by an external potential appliedto the microantenna photosynthetic hybrid system. The control of themicroantenna electric field distribution by an optical active proteinopens the path for future fast optical data processing.