Photophysics and Dynamics
of Surface Plasmon Polaritons-Mediated
Energy Transfer in the Presence of an Applied Electric Field
- Publication date
- 2012
- Publisher
Abstract
The possibility to transfer energy between molecular
excitons across
a metal film up to 150 nm thick represents a very attractive solution
to control and improve the performances of thin optoeletronic devices.
This process involves the presence of coupled surface plasmon polaritons
(SPPs) at the two dielectric–metal interfaces, capable of mediating
the interactions between donor and acceptor, located on opposite sides
of the metal film. In this Article, the photophysics and the dynamics
of an efficient SPP-mediated energy transfer between a suitable dye
and a conjugated polymer is characterized by means of steady-state
and time-resolved photoluminescence techniques. The process is studied
in model multilayer structures (donor/metal/acceptor) as well as in
electrically pumped heterostructures (donor/metal cathode/acceptor/anode),
to verify the effects of applied electric fields on the efficiency
and the dynamics of SPP-mediated energy transfer. A striking enhancement
of the overall luminescence was recorded in a particular range of
applied bias, suggesting the presence of cooperative effects between
optical and electrical stimulations