Modification of a plasmonic nanoparticle lifetime by coupled quantum dots

Abstract

In this study, the interaction between a plasmonic nanoparticle and coupled quantum dots is investigated to identify how the coupled particles can manipulate the plasmonic nanoparticle decay rate. This subject is very important, because most applications of the plasmonic system are restricted due to the nanoparticle decay rate and the related losses. Therefore, in the present work, we try to find out how and by which method the plasmonic nanoparticle decay rate can be manipulated. For this purpose, a plasmonic system containing a nanoparticle coupled to some small quantum dots is designed. The system dynamics of motions are analyzed with Heisenberg-Langevin equations. These equations are analyzed to study the effect of the plasmonic nanoparticles on the quantum dots' decay rate. In the following, as an interesting point, the quantum dot coupling influence on the nanoparticle's decay rate is theoretically analyzed in the transient and steady-state conditions. Additionally, a theoretical formula is derived by which one can explicitly find the dependency of the modified decay rate of the plasmonic nanoparticle on the number of the coupled quantum dots and the coupling strength. The simulation results show that it is possible to effectively control the nanoparticles' decay rate with regard to the application for which they are utilized.