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Quantum Plasmonics : Nonlinear Effects and Field Enhancement in a Plasmonic Nanoparticle Dimer
Last modified: 2012-01-03
Abstract
A fully quantum mechanical investigation reveals that the
optical properties of a coupled metal nanoparticle dimer
can exhibit strong nonlinear effects. We show that both classical as well
as linear quantum mechanical descriptions of the system
fail even for moderate incident light intensities.
The nonlinear discharge current between the two nanoparticles
tends to neutralize the plasmon-induced surface charge densities
on the opposite sides of the dimer junction. This effect reduces the
coupling between the two nanoparticles and the field enhancement
compared to linear theory. A substantial nonlinear effect is
revealed already at incident powers of 10$^{9}$ W/cm$^2$ for
interparticle separation distances as large as 1 nm and
down to the touching limit.
optical properties of a coupled metal nanoparticle dimer
can exhibit strong nonlinear effects. We show that both classical as well
as linear quantum mechanical descriptions of the system
fail even for moderate incident light intensities.
The nonlinear discharge current between the two nanoparticles
tends to neutralize the plasmon-induced surface charge densities
on the opposite sides of the dimer junction. This effect reduces the
coupling between the two nanoparticles and the field enhancement
compared to linear theory. A substantial nonlinear effect is
revealed already at incident powers of 10$^{9}$ W/cm$^2$ for
interparticle separation distances as large as 1 nm and
down to the touching limit.
Keywords
nanoparticle dimer, quantum plasmonics, field enhancement, nonlinear effects