Summary
Thanks to the light-induced collective oscillations of free charges at the boundary between a conducting material and a dielectric, known as surface plasmon resonance, metallic nanostructures can exhibit strong light absorption and scattering. The sensitivity of these resonances to the local environment and shape of the metallic structures allows them to be used, for example, in chemical sensing and cancer therapy. Semiconductor and metal-oxide nanoparticles expand possible wavelengths of surface plasmon resonances into the infrared spectrum and can possibly allow for coupling of the surface plasmon resonances of the nanoparticle, which are of classical nature, to the particle’s semiconductor band structure, which arises from quantum states of the charge carriers. These charge carriers are the electron-hole pairs known as excitons in the semiconductor.
We have recently developed a new method to produce doped transparent-metal-oxide plasmonic nanocrystals and used these to demonstrate for the first time a plasmon-exciton coupling in any plasmonic semiconductor system. Our goal in this project is to further explore the plasmon-exciton coupling in semiconductor and metal-oxide nanostructures and to develop methods to use this coupling for plasmon control of the quantum states of single defects and for their entanglement. We expect this will open the door for these systems to be deployed in quantum sensing and computing applications. In particular, we believe our studies will lead to the design of inexpensive and highly sensitive magneto-optical sensors for thermal imaging and molecular sensing.
Related Content
Using Interactive Digital Storytelling to Represent Transformative Quantum Technologies in Augmented/Extended Reality Environments
Summary A major roadblock to the broader adoption of quantum technologies is the long learning curve associated with their seemingly abstract concepts. This often renders quantum technologies inaccessible to most audiences, especially through explanations using conventional scientific language. In this project, we develop novel methods of interactive digital storytelling – augmented and extended reality (AR/XR) […]
February 24, 2021

Novel Infrared Camera Based on Quantum Sensors for Biomedical Applications
Summary In this project we develop a novel infrared camera with low noise and high detection efficiency for biomedical applications of optical coherence tomography (OCT) using quantum materials. OCT is a technique used to image the back of the eye and allow for the diagnosis of detrimental eye conditions, for e.g., macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy […]
March 13, 2019

Molecular Scale Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Through its phenomenal ability to image soft tissues, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has revolutionized both clinical medicine and research biomedicine.
September 9, 2016

Micro-Supercapacitors Based on Termination Optimized MXene Quantum Dots with Ultra-High Rate Capability and Fast Frequency Response
Micro-supercapacitors (MCs) are miniaturized energy storage devices that can enhance the performance of wearable health devices, medical implants, wireless sensors, and micro-electromechanical systems due to their fast frequency response, long life cycle, and vast temperature operation. However, to make these MC systems into commercially feasible products, necessary improvements to current MC performance are necessary, primarily […]
June 12, 2023