Hot Electrons Control of Quantum Dot Emission Using Plasmonic Supercells
Seyed M Sadeghi1, Rithvik Gutha1, Christina Sharp1
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama 35899, United States.
Summary
Hot electrons generated from plasmon decay in nanoantenna arrays can alter quantum dot (QD) emission. This study shows how these hot electrons modify the QD environment, controlling their light emission properties.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics
- Quantum Dot Optics
- Plasmonics
Background:
- Exciton-plasmon coupling is crucial in hybrid nanoantenna-quantum dot (QD) systems.
- Plasmon decay into hot electrons can influence QD emission intensity and dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate how hot electrons from plasmon decay modulate exciton-plasmon coupling.
- Understand the electronic modification of the QD environment by hot electrons.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of periodic arrays of gold nanoantennas supporting supercells, hot-spots, and surface lattice resonances (SLRs).
- Coating nanoantenna arrays with a silicon interlayer and InP/ZnS quantum dot film.
- Analyzing hot electron injection and its effect on QD emission properties.
Main Results:
- Hot electrons injected across the Au/Si interface charge the QD environment.
- Observed a polarization-dependent blue shift in QD emission.
- Demonstrated an enhancement of QD emission lifetime due to hot electrons.
Conclusions:
- Surface lattice resonances and plasmonic hot spots are key for hot-electron generation.
- Hot electrons enable a novel pathway for controlling QD emission via environmental modification.
