Luminescence quantum yields (QYs) of gold nanoparticles including nanorods, nanobipyramids and nanospheres are
measured elaborately at single nanoparticle level with different excitation wavelengths. It is found that the QYs of the
nanostructures are essentially dependent on the excitation wavelength. The QY is higher when the excitation wavelength
is blue-detuned and close to the nanoparticles’ surface plasmon resonant peak. A phenomenological model based on
plasmonic resonator concept is proposed to understand the experimental findings. The excitation wavelength dependent
of QY is attributed to the wavelength dependent coupling efficiency between the free electrons oscillation and the
intrinsic plasmon resonant radiative mode. These studies should contribute to the understanding of one-photon
luminescence from metallic nanostructures and plasmonic surface enhanced spectroscopy.