Electrically controlled light scattering with metal nanoparticles

We report on electrically controlled light scattering where electric fields are used to spectrally shift the plasmon resonance of spherical noble metal nanoparticles. Applying external electric fields to the liquid crystal induces a reorientation of the molecules and therefore a reorientation of the anisotropy. This results in a field-induced shift of the plasmon peak , which may be useful for the realization of novel optoelectronic switching devices.