Tunable nanoswitches based on nanoparticle meta-molecules

Efficient Biexciton Preparation in a Quantum Dot-Metal Nanoparticle System Using On-Off Pulses

We consider a hybrid nanostructure composed by semiconductor quantum dot coupled to a metallic nanoparticle and investigate the efficient creation of biexciton state in the quantum dot, when starting from the ground state and using linearly polarized laser pulses with on-off modulation. With numerical simulations of the coupled system density matrix equations, we show that a simple on-off-on pulse-sequence, previously derived for the case of an isolated quantum dot, can efficiently prepare the biexciton state even in the presence of the nanoparticle, for various interparticle distances and biexciton energy shifts. The pulse durations in the sequence are obtained from the solution of a transcendental equation.

Dual-channel bistable switch based on a monolayer graphene nanoribbon nanoresonator coupled to a metal nanoparticle

We theoretically propose a dual-channel bistable switch based on a monolayer Z-shaped graphene nanoribbon nanoresonator (NR) coupled to a metal nanoparticle (MNP). We show that the bistable nonlinear absorption response can be realized due to a competition and combination of the exciton-plasmon and exciton-phonon interactions. We map out two-dimensional and three-dimensional bistability phase diagrams, which reveal clearly the dynamical evolution of the roles played by these two interactions in managing optical bistability (OB) at all stages. Specifically, the bistable switch proposed can be controlled via a single channel or dual channels by only adjusting the intensity or frequency of the pump field. In/outside these channels, the switch will be turned on/off. The results obtained here not only can be employed to measure precisely the distance between the MNP and the NR but also provide promising applications in optical switching and optical storage.

Scattering of nanowire surface plasmons coupled to quantum dots with azimuthal angle difference

Coherent scatterings of surface plasmons coupled to quantun dots have attracted great attention in plasmonics. Recently, an experiment has shown that the quantum dots located nearby a nanowire can be separated not only in distance, but also an angle ϕ along the cylindrical direction. Here, by using the real-space Hamiltonian and the transfer matrix method, we analytically obtain the transmission/reflection spectra of nanowire surface plasmons coupled to quantum dots with an azimuthal angle difference. We find that the scattering spectra can show completely different features due to different positions and azimuthal angles of the quantum dots. When additionally coupling a cavity to the dots, we obtain the Fano-like line shape in the transmission and reflection spectra due to the interference between the localized and delocalized modes.

Bio-mediated synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles

We report here a "green" approach for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in which the Mentha piperita extract was applied for the bioreduction of chloroauric acid and the stabilization of the formed nanostructures. The obtained GNPs were characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The reduction of gold ions with the plant extract leads to the production of nanoparticles with various shapes (spherical, triangular and hexagonal) and sizes (from 10 to 300 nm). The kinetics of the reaction was monitored and various conditions of the synthesis were investigated. As a result, we established protocols optimized towards the synthesis of nanospheres and nanoprisms of gold. The cytotoxic effect of the obtained gold nanoparticles was studied by performing MTT assay, which showed lower cytotoxicity of the biosynthesized GNPs compared to gold nanorods synthesized using the usual seed-mediated growth. The results suggest that the synthesis using plant extracts may be a useful method to produce gold nanostructures for various biological and medical applications.

Bistable optical response of a nanoparticle heterodimer: mechanism, phase diagram, and switching time

We conduct a theoretical study of the bistable optical response of a nanoparticle heterodimer comprised of a closely spaced semiconductor quantum dot and a metal nanoparticle. The bistable nature of the response results from the interplay between the quantum dot's optical nonlinearity and its self-action (feedback) originating from the presence of the metal nanoparticle. The feedback is governed by a complex valued coupling parameter G = G(R) + iG(I). We calculate the bistability phase diagram within the system's parameter space: spanned by G(R), G(I), and Δ, the latter being the detuning between the driving frequency and the transition frequency of the quantum dot. Additionally, switching times from the lower stable branch to the upper one (and vice versa) are calculated as a function of the intensity of the driving field. The conditions for bistability to occur can be realized, for example, for a heterodimer comprised of a closely spaced CdSe (or CdSe/ZnSe) quantum dot and a gold nanosphere.

Optical bistability and nonlinearity of coherently coupled exciton-plasmon systems

We theoretically investigated optical third-order nonlinearity of a coherently coupled exciton-plasmon hybrid system under a strong control field with a weak probe field. The analytic formulas of exciton population and effective third-order optical susceptibility of the hybrid of a metal nanoparticle (MNP) and a semiconductor quantum dot (SQD) were deduced. The bistable exciton population and the induced bistable nonlinear absorption and refraction response were revealed. The bistability region can be tuned by adjusting the size of metal nanoparticle, interparticle distance and intensity of control field. Our results have perspective applications in optical information processing based on resonant coupling of exciton-plasmon.

Photo-induced suppression of plasmonic emission enhancement of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots

Emission of semiconductor quantum dots can be increased via two fundamentally different processes: (i) surface plasmon resonances (plasmonic emission enhancement) and (ii) irradiation with light (photo-induced fluorescence enhancement). In this paper we theoretically and experimentally study the mutual impacts of these processes on each other in quantum dot solids. We show that when thin films of colloidal quantum dots are placed in the vicinity of Au nano-islands, the plasmonic enhancement of the radiative decay rates of quantum dots and Forster energy transfer can hinder the photo-induced fluorescence enhancement of these films. This in turn leads to significant suppression of their plasmonic emission enhancement when they are irradiated with a laser beam. We investigate the impact of the sizes and shapes of the metallic nanoparticles in this process and theoretically analyze how plasmons and energy transfer can hinder the electrostatic barrier responsible for photo-induced fluorescence enhancement.