Broadband optical transparency in plasmonic nanocomposite polymer films via exciton-plasmon energy transfer

Date
2016
Authors
Dhama R.
Rashed, A. R.
Caligiuri V.
El Kabbash M.
Strangi, G.
De Luca A.
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Source Title
Optics Express
Print ISSN
10944087
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Publisher
OSA - The Optical Society
Volume
24
Issue
13
Pages
14632 - 14641
Language
English
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Abstract

Inherent absorptive losses affect the performance of all plasmonic devices, limiting their fascinating applications in the visible range. Here, we report on the enhanced optical transparency obtained as a result of the broadband mitigation of optical losses in nanocomposite polymeric films, embedding core-shell quantum dots (CdSe@ZnS QDs) and gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). Exciton-plasmon coupling enables non-radiative energy transfer processes from QDs to metal NPs, resulting in gain induced transparency of the hybrid flexible systems. Experimental evidences, such as fluorescence quenching and modifications of fluorescence lifetimes confirm the presence of this strong coupling between plexcitonic elements. Measures performed by means of an ultra-fast broadband pump-probe setup demonstrate loss compensation of gold NPs dispersed in plastic network in presence of gain. Furthermore, we compare two films containing different concentrations of gold NPs and same amount of QDs, to investigate the role of acceptor concentration (Au-NPs) in order to promote an effective and efficient energy transfer mechanism. Gain induced transparency in bulk systems represents a promising path towards the realization of loss compensated plasmonic devices. © 2016 Optical Society of America.

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