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We report the evidence of plasmonic-photonic resonances in hybrid metallo-dielectric quasi-crystal nanostructures composed of aperiodically-patterned low-contrast dielectric slabs backed on a metal layer. Via both experimental and numerical studies, with specific reference to the Ammann-Beenker octagonal tiling geometry, we analyze the resonant phenomena and investigate the underlying physics. We show that, by comparison with standard periodic structures with the same filling factor, a richer spectrum of resonant modes may be excited, characterized by a distinctive plasmonic or photonic behavior. Concerning the possible applications, we explore the structure functionalization via high refractive index overlays, as well as its surface sensitivity to deposition of nanolayers of materials mimicking bio-molecular binding. Finally, in connection with the energy-harvesting field, we also present a comparative study on the application of 1-D periodic- and quasiperiodic-based nanostructures as backreflectors for thin-film solar-cell photovoltaics.

photonic crystals; plasmonics;