Controlling the dynamics of quantum mechanical systems sustaining dipole-forbidden transitions via optical nanoantennas

Robert Filter, Stefan Mühlig, Toni Eichelkraut, Carsten Rockstuhl, and Falk Lederer
Phys. Rev. B 86, 035404 – Published 5 July 2012

Abstract

We suggest to excite dipole-forbidden transitions in quantum mechanical systems by using appropriately designed optical nanoantennas. The antennas are tailored such that their near field contains sufficiently strong contributions of higher-order multipole moments. The strengths of these moments exceed their free-space analogs by several orders of magnitude. The impact of such excitation enhancement is exemplarily investigated by studying the dynamics of a three-level system. It decays upon excitation by an electric quadrupole transition via two electric dipole transitions. Since one dipole transition is assumed to be radiative, the enhancement of this emission serves as a figure of merit. Such self-consistent treatment of excitation, emission, and internal dynamics as developed in this contribution is the key to predict any observable quantity. The suggested scheme may represent a blueprint for future experiments and will find many obvious spectroscopic and sensing applications.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 28 October 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.86.035404

©2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Robert Filter, Stefan Mühlig, Toni Eichelkraut, Carsten Rockstuhl, and Falk Lederer

  • Institute of Condensed Matter Theory and Solid State Optics, Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 86, Iss. 3 — 15 July 2012

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×