White light scattering spectroscopy and electron microscopy of laser induced melting in single gold nanorods

We present the first measurements of laser induced melting and reshaping of single gold nanorods. Using a combination of white light scattering spectroscopy and electron microscopy we find a melting energy of 260 fJ for nanorods with an average size of 92 x 30 nm. Contrary to previous reports on ensembles of nanorods, this melting energy corresponds well to the theoretical prediction of 225 fJ. We observe a gradual shape change from a long and thin rod to a shorter and wider rod, which eventually collapses into a sphere when enough laser energy is deposited. We also observe that higher aspect ratio particles are thermodynamically less stable, leading to a greater reduction of the aspect ratio at lower laser pulse energy densities.