Through numerical simulation we demonstrate the existence of the Fano interference effect in the electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and cathodoluminescence (CL) of symmetry-broken nanorod dimers that are heterogeneous in both material composition and length. The differing selection rules of the electron probe in comparison to the photon of a plane wave allow for the simultaneous excitation of both optically bright and dark plasmons of each monomer unit. Yet, interferences are manifested in the dimer's scattered near- and far-fields due to the rapid p-phase offset in the polarizations between super-radiant and sub-radiant hybridized plasmon modes of the dimer as a function of the energy loss suffered by the impinging electron. Depending upon the location of the electron beam, we predict the conditions under which Fano interferences will be present in both optical and electron spectroscopies (EELS and CL) as well as a new class of Fano interferences that are uniquely electron-driven and are absent in the optical response.

Elucidating the signatures of Fano interferences in electron energy-loss and cathodoluminescence spectroscopies via multiscale electrodynamics simulations

246th National Meeting (2013)

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