Hybrid plasmonic nano-emitters with controlled single quantum emitter positioning on the local excitation field

Hybrid plasmonic nano-emitters based on the combination of quantum dot emitters (QD) and plasmonic nanoantennas open up new perspectives in the control of light. However, precise positioning of any active medium at the nanoscale constitutes a challenge. Here, we report on the optimal overlap of antenna's near-field and active medium whose spatial distribution is controlled via a plasmon-triggered 2-photon polymerization of a photosensitive formulation containing QDs. Au nanoparticles of various geometries are considered. The response of these hybrid nano-emitters is shown to be highly sensitive to the light polarization. Different light emission states are evidenced by photoluminescence measurements. These states correspond to polarization-sensitive nanoscale overlap between the exciting local field and the active medium distribution. The decrease of the QD concentration within the monomer formulation allows trapping of a single quantum dot in the vicinity of the Au particle. The latter objects show polarization-dependent switching in the single-photon regime.

Dandan Ge, Sylvie Marguet, Ali Issa, Safi Jradi, Tien Hoa Nguyen, Mackrine Nahra, Jéremie Béal, Régis Deturche, Hongshi Chen, Sylvain Blaize, Jérôme Plain, Céline Fiorini, Ludovic Douillard, Olivier Soppera, Xuan Quyen Dinh, Cuong Dang, Xuyong Yang, Tao Xu, Bin Wei, Xiao Wei Sun, Christophe Couteau, Renaud Bachelot