Absorption in and scattering from single horizontal Au-contacted InAs/InP heterostructure nanowires

Finite element modelling (FEM) is used to show that the addition of Au contacts to a single horizontal InAs/InP heterostructure nanowire substantially alters the nanowire's optical properties in comparison to the uncontacted case. It is found that the addition of contacts can increase absorption efficiency, decrease scattering efficiency and shift the location of absorption within the nanowire. Localized surface plasmon resonances are found to develop at nanowire/contact interfaces at infrared wavelengths and contribute to the alteration of the optical response of the nanowire.