Magnetoplasmon Resonances in Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Potential for a New Information Technology Platform

Interaction between light and plasmon oscillations in semiconductor nanocrystals has received significant attention in recent years driven, in part, by the possibility of coupling between plasmonic and semiconducting properties. Such coupling could lead to a variety of new applications in plasmonics, photonics, and optoelectronics. In this Concept we discuss the methods for generation of localized surface plasmon resonances in colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals and their unique magneto-optical properties. Different means of introducing free charge carriers, including aliovalent doping, non-stoichiometry, and external charging, are first compared and contrasted. The resulting plasmons can be manipulated using circularly polarized light and external magnetic field, allowing for the formation of the magnetoplasmon modes. The concept of using these magnetoplasmon modes as a new degree of freedom for controlling excitonic states and charge-carrier polarization is introduced and discussed. We also highlight some notable recent examples of controlling plasmon-exciton interactions and comment on their implications for future research in sustainable information technology.