Quantum electrodynamics of resonance energy transfer in nanowire systems

Nonradiative resonance energy transfer (RET) provides the ability to transfer excitation energy between contiguous nanowires (NWs) with high efficiency under certain conditions. Nevertheless, the well-established Forster formalism commonly used to represent RET was developed for energy transfer primarily between molecular blocks (i.e., from one molecule, or part of a molecule, to another). Although deviations from Forster theory for functional blocks such as NWs have been studied previously, the role of the relative distance, the orientation of transition dipole moment pairs, and the passively interacting matter on electronic energy transfer are to a large extent unknown. Thus, a comprehensive theory that models RET in NWs is required. In this context, analytical insights to give a deeper and more intuitive understanding of the distance and orientation dependence of RET in NWs is presented within the framework of quantum electrodynamics. Additionally, the influence of an included intermediary on the rate of excitation energy transfer is illustrated, embracing indirect energy transfer rate and quantum interference. The results deliver equations that afford new intuitions into the behavior of virtual photons. In particular, results indicate that RET efficiency in a NW system can be explicitly expedited or inhibited by a neighboring mediator, depending on the relative spacing and orientation of NWs

Optical control of resonance energy transfer in quantum dot systems

We demonstrate that the rate of resonance energy transfer can be extensively controlled through an applied off-resonant radiation field under favourable physical configurations of the quantum dots

Controlling resonance energy transfer in nanostructure emitters by positioning near a mirror

The ability to control light-matter interactions in quantum objects opens up many avenues for new applications. We look at this issue within a fully quantized framework using a fundamental theory to describe mirror-assisted resonance energy transfer (RET) in nanostructures. The process of RET communicates electronic excitation between suitably disposed donor and acceptor particles in close proximity, activated by the initial excitation of the donor. Here, we demonstrate that the energy transfer rate can be significantly controlled by careful positioning of the RET emitters near a mirror. The results deliver equations that elicit new insights into the associated modification of virtual photon behavior, based on the quantum nature of light. In particular, our results indicate that energy transfer efficiency in nanostructures can be explicitly expedited or suppressed by a suitably positioned neighboring mirror, depending on the relative spacing and the dimensionality of the nanostructure. Interestingly, the resonance energy transfer between emitters is observed to “switch off” abruptly under suitable conditions of the RET system. This allows one to quantitatively control RET systems in a new way

Quantum electrodynamical theory of high-efficiency excitation energy transfer in laser-driven nanostructure systems

A fundamental theory is developed for describing laser-driven resonance energy transfer (RET) in dimensionally constrained nanostructureswithin the framework of quantum electrodynamics. The process of RET communicates electronic excitation between suitably disposed emitter and detector particles in close proximity, activated by the initial excitation of the emitter. Here, we demonstrate that the transfer rate can be significantly increased by propagation of an auxiliary laser beam through a pair of nanostructure particles. This is due to the higher order perturbative contribution to the F¨orster-type RET, in which laser field is applied to stimulate the energy transfer process. We construct a detailed picture of how excitation energy transfer is affected by an off-resonant radiation field, which includes the derivation of second and fourth order quantum amplitudes. The analysis delivers detailed results for the dependence of the transfer rates on orientational, distance, and laser intensity factor, providing a comprehensive fundamental understanding of laser-driven RET in nanostructures. The results of the derivations demonstrate that the geometry of the system exercises considerable control over the laser-assisted RET mechanism. Thus, under favorable conformational conditions and relative spacing of donor-acceptor nanostructures, the effect of the auxiliary laser beam is shown to produce up to 70% enhancement in the energy migration rate. This degree of control allows optical switching applications to be identified

Quantum Electrodynamical Treatment for Controlling Resonance Energy Transfer in Nanostructure Systems

Resonance Energy Transfer (RET) has received a great deal of attention because it has proven to bring more efficient solar cells and highly accurate nanosystems. Although the process of RET has been studies extensively, open questions regarding the mechanisms of RET phenomenon in many aspects still exist. Thus, being able to control RET efficiency would be immensely useful, which has not yet been properly investigated. Therefore, this research aims to investigate quantum-level light–matter interactions in confined geometries and the influence of the surrounding media in RET, which together will satisfy the main objective of achieving precise control over RET

Direct and third-body mediated resonance energy transfer in dimensionally constrained nanostructures

The process of resonance energy transfer (RET) in a nanostructure influenced by a vicinal, nonabsorbing third body is studied within the framework of molecular quantum electrodynamics. Direct RET and the influence of neighboring matter have been studied previously, mainly for molecules. However, a complete study or unified understanding of direct and indirect RET in nanostructures with different dimensionalities is still lacking. Therefore, there is a strong need for a complete theory that models RET for the cases of quantum wells, nanowires, and quantum dots.We construct a detailed picture of excitation energy transfer in nanostructures and how it is affected by another quantum object, which includes the derivation of quantum amplitudes based on second- and fourth-order time-dependent perturbation theories, and the derivation of transfer rates and distance dependencies, providing a complete picture and understanding of RET in nanostructures. The results of the derivations indicate that the dimensionality of the nanostructure determines the controllability of the RET rate. Furthermore, third-body mediation leads to a nonvanishing RET in the coupling of nanowire to nanowire and quantum dot to quantum dot