Our findings suggest that it is feasible to change between different regimes of plasmon coupling in PRs by inserting varying amounts of Pd NPs into the gap region. The ability to detect and differentiate different coupling regimes at a defined interparticle separation using the coupled plasmon as optical transducer has potential applications in nanoscale energy transfer, information processing, and sensing. A further refinement of the assembly strategies to enable networks of plasmonic NPs tethered by individual molecules, for instance with photo-switchable conductivities75, will eventually result in experimental platforms that can greatly enhance active control of plasmons by fusing molecular electronics with nanoplasmonics.

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