研究目的
Demonstrating the nonlinear optical interaction of a single molecule and propagating plasmons, paving the way toward functional quantum plasmonic circuits and improved nonlinear single-molecule spectroscopy.
研究成果
The study demonstrates coupling of a single dye molecule to a plasmonic waveguide, showing a clear antibunching dip signaling the presence of only one emitter with a reduced fluorescence lifetime. Stimulated emission of a single plasmon via a plasmonic mode is detected, with the required pulse energy reduced by about a factor of 30 compared to a free space Gaussian focus. This opens up new opportunities for nanooptics and plasmonics, including simplified ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy of single molecules and the development of integrated quantum plasmonic circuitry.
研究不足
The study is limited by the current pulse length of several 10 ps, which needs to be shortened to a few 10 fs for ultrafast nonlinear spectroscopy. Additionally, the waveguide's own nonlinearity must be considered in future experiments.