Lasing in dark and bright modes of a finite-sized plasmonic lattice

Abstract

Lasing at the nanometre scale promises strong light-matter interactions and ultrafast operation. Plasmonic resonances supported by metallic nanoparticles have extremely small mode volumes and high field enhancements, making them an ideal platform for studying nanoscale lasing. At visible frequencies, however, the applicability of plasmon resonances is limited due to strong ohmic and radiative losses. Intriguingly, plasmonic nanoparticle arrays support non-radiative dark modes that offer longer life-times but are inaccessible to far-field radiation. Here, we show lasing both in dark and bright modes of an array of silver nanoparticles combined with optically pumped dye molecules. Linewidths of 0.2 nm at visible wavelengths and room temperature are observed. Access to the dark modes is provided by a coherent out-coupling mechanism based on the finite size of the array. The results open a route to utilize all modes of plasmonic lattices, also the high-Q ones, for studies of strong light-matter interactions, condensation and photon fluids.

Nanolasers Enabled by Metallic Nanoparticles: From Spasers to Random Lasers

“…The second approach is to define the spasing direction through periodically arranged metallic nano‐apertures such as disks or holes . More specifically, the direction of spasing emission is determined by the resonance known as Rayleigh anomaly and surface plasmon polariton‐Bloch waves .…”

Geometry dependence of surface lattice resonances in plasmonic nanoparticle arrays

“…These features make metallic nanoparticle arrays suited for tailoring the light dispersion at the nanoscale. SLRs have been utilized in light harvesting [10], emission control [11][12][13], strong light-matter interaction [14][15][16], and plasmonic lasing [17][18][19][20][21]. Recent works have also implemented SLRs in magnetoplasmonic responses in magnetic nanoparticle arrays [22,23], dark mode excitation in asymmetric dimer arrays [24], and superlattice plasmons in hierarchical gold particle arrays [25].…”

Topological Plasmonic Chain with Retardation and Radiative Effects

“…We find parameters that lead to protected edge modes and confirm that they are highly robust under disorder, opening up the possibility of protected hotspots at topological interfaces that could have novel applications in nanophotonics. KEYWORDS: plasmonics, surface plasmons, topological insulator, edge states, hotspots, disorder, nanoparticle array P lasmonic systems take advantage of subwavelength field confinement and the resulting enhancement to create hotspots, with applications in medical diagnostics, sensing and metamaterials.1,2 Arrays of metallic nanoparticles support surface plasmons that delocalize over the structure and whose properties can be manipulated by tuning the dimensions of the particles and their spacing.3−6 In particular, 1D and 2D arrays have significant uses in band-edge lasing 7,8 and can be made to strongly interact with emitters.9,10 Configurations of nanoparticle dimers have been shown to exhibit interesting physical properties;11 in the following we consider a nanoparticle dimer array in the context of topological photonics.The rise of topological insulators, materials with an insulating bulk and conducting surface states that are protected from disorder, has inspired the study of analogous photonic and plasmonic systems.12−23 Topological photonics shows exciting potential for unidirectional plasmonic waveguides, 24 lasing, 25 and field enhancing hotspots with robust topological protection, which could prove useful for nanoparticle arrays on flexible substrates. 26 Plasmonic and photonic systems provide a powerful platform to examine topological insulators without the complication of interacting particles and with interesting additional properties like non-Hermiticity.…”

“…3−6 In particular, 1D and 2D arrays have significant uses in band-edge lasing 7,8 and can be made to strongly interact with emitters.…”

“…3−6 In particular, 1D and 2D arrays have significant uses in band-edge lasing 7,8 and can be made to strongly interact with emitters. 9,10 Configurations of nanoparticle dimers have been shown to exhibit interesting physical properties; 11 in the following we consider a nanoparticle dimer array in the context of topological photonics.…”