Molecule Non-Radiative Coupling to a Metallic Nanosphere: An Optical Theorem Treatment

The non-radiative coupling of a molecule to a metallic spherical particle is approximated by a sum involving particle quasistatic polarizabilities. We demonstrate that energy transfer from molecule to particle satisfies the optical theorem if size effects corrections are properly introduced into the quasistatic polarizabilities. We hope that this simplified model gives valuable information on the coupling mechanism between molecule and metallic nanos-tructures available for, e.g., surface enhanced spectroscopy signal analysis

In-plane remote photoluminescence excitation of carbon nanotube by propagating surface plasmon

In this work, we demonstrate propagating surface plasmon polariton (SPP) coupled photoluminescence (PL) excitation of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT). SPPs were launched at a few micrometers from individually marked SWNT, and plasmon-coupled PL was recorded to determine the efficiency of this remote in-plane addressing scheme. The efficiency depends upon the following factors: (i) longitudinal and transverse distances between the SPP launching site and the location of the SWNT and (ii) orientation of the SWNT with respect to the plasmon propagation wave vector (k SPP). Our experiment explores the possible integration of carbon nanotubes as a plasmon sensor in plasmonic and nanophotonic devices

Theory of molecular excitation and relaxation near a plasmonic device

International audienceThe new optical concepts currently developed in the research field of plasmonics can have significant practical applications for integrated optical device miniaturization as well as for molecular sensing applications. Particularly, these new devices can offer interesting opportunities for optical addressing of quantum systems. In this article, we develop a realistic model able to explore the various functionalities of a plasmon device connected to a single fluorescing molecule. We show that this theoretical method provides a useful framework to understand how quantum and plasmonic entities interact in a small area. Thus, the fluorescence signal evolution from excitation control to relaxation control depending on the incident light power is clearly observed

Manipulating and squeezing the photon local density of states with plasmonic nanoparticle networks

International audienceIn this Brief Report, we show that when interconnected networks of gold particles are deposited onto a clean planar surface, they strongly modify the photonic local density of states LDOS in the immediate proximity of the self-assembled nanoparticles. They represent unique architectures for the subwavelength patterning of initially flat photonic LDOS. Moreover, we show that their local spectral signatures are well suited for the generation of sites able to enhance molecular fluorescence intensity

Memristive control of plasmon-mediated nonlinear photoluminescence in Au nanowires

Nonlinear photoluminescence (N-PL) is a broadband photon emission arising from non-equilibrium electron distribution generated at the surface of metallic nanostructures by an ultrafast pulsed laser illumination. N-PL is sensitive to surface morphology, local electromagnetic field strength, and electronic band structure making it relevant to probe optically excited nanoscale plasmonic systems. It also has been key to access the complex multiscale time dynamics ruling electron thermalization. Here, we show that the surface plasmons mediated N-PL emitted by a gold nanowire can be modified by an electrical architecture featuring a nanogap. Upon voltage activation, we observe that N-PL becomes dependent to the electrical transport dynamics and can thus be locally modulated. This finding brings an electrical leverage to externally control the photoluminescence generated from metal nanostructures, and constitutes an asset for the development of emerging nanoscale interface devices managing photons and electrons

Spontaneous hot-electron light emission from electron-fed optical antennas

Nanoscale electronics and photonics are among the most promising research areas providing functional nano-components for data transfer and signal processing. By adopting metal-based optical antennas as a disruptive technological vehicle, we demonstrate that these two device-generating technologies can be interfaced to create an electronically-driven self-emitting unit. This nanoscale plasmonic transmitter operates by injecting electrons in a contacted tunneling antenna feedgap. Under certain operating conditions, we show that the antenna enters a highly nonlinear regime in which the energy of the emitted photons exceeds the quantum limit imposed by the applied bias. We propose a model based upon the spontaneous emission of hot electrons that correctly reproduces the experimental findings. The electron-fed optical antennas described here are critical devices for interfacing electrons and photons, enabling thus the development of optical transceivers for on-chip wireless broadcasting of information at the nanoscale

Laser-induced thermoelectric effects in electrically biased nanoscale constrictions

Electrically biased metal nanostructures are at the core of innovative multifunctional integrated devices that control the flow of electrons and photons at the nanoscale. They are based on plasmonic structures that create strongly confined fields, typically associated with large temperature gradients. These thermal effects may generate artifact responses detrimental to the desired operation. We show here how a biasing polarity and a local optical excitation asymmetry of a generic geometry – a nanoscale constriction – interplay thermally to modify the diffusive electron transport in out-of-equilibrium conditions. Our experimental results are accompanied with computational electromagnetism and multiphysics simulations