The Optical Response of Strongly Coupled Quantum Dot- Metal Nanoparticle Hybrid Systems.

摘要

In this thesis, we study, theoretically, hybrid systems composed of semiconducting quantum dots (SQDs) and metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) which are coupled by means of an applied optical field. Systems composed of SQDs and MNPs have recently been a very active area of research. Such structures are considered to be viable candidates for use in nanodevices in quantum information and nanoscale excitation transfer. The goal of this thesis is to investigate the interactions of the constituent particles and predict the hybrid response of SQD/MNP systems.;We first study a single SQD coupled to a spherical MNP, and explore the relationship between the size of the constituents and the response of the system. We identify four distinct regimes of behavior in the strong field limit that each exhibit novel properties, namely, the Fano regime, exciton induced transparency, suppression and bistability. In chapter 3, we will explore these four regimes in detail and set bounds on each.;In chapter 4, we then show that the response of the system can be tailored by engineering metal nanoparticle shape and the exciton resonance of SQDs to control the local-fields that couple the MNPs and SQDs. We identify regimes where dark modes and higher order multipolar modes can influence hybrid response. External fields do not directly drive MNP dark modes, so SQD/MNP coupling is dominated by the local induced coupling, providing a situation in which the induced self-interaction could be probed using near field techniques.;Finally, we consider a system of two SQDs coupled to a MNP. In particular, we identify and address issues in modeling the system using a semiclassical approach, which can lead to unstable and chaotic behavior in a strong SQD-SQD coupling regime. When we model the system using a more quantum mechanical approach, this chaotic regime is absent. Finally, we compare the two models on a system with a strong plasmon-mediated interaction between the SQDs and a weak direct interaction between them.