Plasmon-exciton coupling dynamics and plasmonic lasing in a core-shell nanocavity

Area of Science:

• Nanophotonics
• Materials Science
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Plasmonic nanolasers are crucial for optoelectronic integration, but effective mode confinement remains a challenge.
• Improving optical gain and reducing loss are key to high-performance nanolasers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate a ZnO/Al core-shell nanocavity for enhanced plasmonic nanolaser performance.
• To investigate the surface plasmon (SP)-exciton coupling dynamics and optical confinement in the nanocavity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of ZnO/Al core-shell nanocavities using magnetron sputtering.
• Theoretical simulations for 3D optical confinement analysis.
• Experimental characterization including lasing threshold measurements and low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated plasmonic lasing behavior and SP-exciton coupling.
• Achieved a lower lasing threshold in the ZnO/Al nanolaser compared to ZnO photonic nanolasers.
• Observed a blue shift in the lasing mode, confirming SP-exciton coupling.

Conclusions:

• The ZnO/Al core-shell nanocavity effectively confines light and exhibits SP-exciton coupling.
• SP-exciton coupling enhances exciton recombination and boosts stimulated radiation.
• This approach offers a pathway for developing practical nanolasers for diverse applications.