Nonradiative energy transfer in assembly of nanostructures

Abstract

This chapter is reprinted (adapted) with permission from Ref. [1]. Copyright 2014 American Chemical Society. Here, we present the theoretical framework of generalized Förster-type nonradiative energy transfer (FRET) between one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) assemblies of nanostructures consisting of mixed dimensions in confinement, namely, nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs). Also, the modification of FRET mechanism with respect to the nanostructure serving as the donor versus the acceptor is discussed, focusing on the rate’s distance dependency. Here, the combinations of X → 1D assembly of NPs, X → 2D assembly of NPs, X → 3D assembly of NPs, X → 1D assembly of NWs, and X → 2D assembly of NWs (where X is an NP, an NW, or a quantum well (QW) with the donor → acceptor (D → A) denoting the energy transfer directed from the donor to the acceptor) are specifically considered because they are important for practical applications. Furthermore, here we give a complete set of analytical expressions in the long distance approximation, for FRET in all of the cases mentioned above and derive generic expressions for the dimensionality involved to present a complete picture and unified understanding of FRET for nanostructure assemblies.