Coherent nanophotoics: how to subdue optics of metallic nanoparticles via semiconductor quantum dots

One of the main reasons that currently noble metallic nanoparticles are at the center of significant attentions is the fact that they support surface plasmon resonances. These resonances are now the cornerstones of many applications, ranging from optical nanosensors, sub-wavelength optical waveguides, and nano-thermometers, to fundamental physics such as plasmonic control of emission of semiconductor nanostructures.   Despite these, control of the optical properties of metallic nanoparticles is still rather an obscure field of research. This is mostly related to the ultra short relaxation times of plasmons, which make any attempt to control optics of metallic nanoparticles face significant challenges.

In this talk, I will review a novel technique that we have recently developed to optically control plasmons in metallic nanoparticles. This technique allows us to use a semiconductor quantum dot as a tool to make a metallic nanoparticle virtually transparent at the peak of its plasmonic absorption. This control of plasmons here requires interaction of a hybrid system consisting of a metallic nanoparticle and a quantum dot with an infrared laser. I will discuss how this process can be used to optically control heat dissipation rate in metallic nanoparticles, forming what we called “thermal electromagnetically induced transparency”.

 

Seyed Sadeghi

UAHuntsville