Quantum plasmonics
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uction The current information revolution has been driven by computing using electrons in silicon-based devices and optical communication through silica fibers, yet a fundamental incompatibility exists between them. Light wave diffraction limits the size of optical waveguides to the size of the wavelength (micron scale at the telecommunication wavelength), prohibiting seamless interfacing to nanoscale electron circuitry. By coupling light to the free electrons of metals, which are readily available in modern circuits, subdiffraction light confinement and propagation is possible with dense networks of plasmonic nanowaveguides.1 It was recently shown that these propagating plasmon polaritons also emerge as a natural choice to carry non-classical information for future quantum networks.2 The control and manipulation of quantum phenomena can lead to a new paradigm for secure communication and advanced computing.3 This intense area of research rests on principles of quantum mechanics, which requires matter to have a “wave” nature and light to have “particle” properties. At macroscopic scales of matter and large intensities of light, it is difficult to observe either of these wave-particle dualities. Progress in nanofabrication and characterization allow us to probe light-matter interactions and study unique quantum properties in the solid state. Furthermore, plasmon polaritons in particular have a key role to play
to address many challenges in the seemingly disconnected field of quantum information technology. This article reviews recent developments in the field of quantum plasmonics, where the quantum nature of either light or matter leads to unique properties not captured in the conventional classical description of plasmons.4 Surface plasmon polaritons can lead to non-classical light sources as well as assist in quantum information transfer. Another pertinent problem in this regard is the wave nature of matter manifested in the localized version of this plasmonic excitation found in metallic nanoparticles. This is important to accurately quantify plasmon resonances and field enhancements for applications such as single molecule sensing using nanoplasmonic particles with sizes below 10 nm, where a simple classical model of the optical properties of metals breaks down. Finally, we review the unique properties of plasmonic metamaterials, artificial media with optical properties that cannot be found in nature. The exotic electromagnetic response that can be tailored at will using metamaterials provides a new playground for understanding and controlling light-matter interaction. It was recently shown that the class of metamaterials that has an extremely anisotropic dielectric response can support an infinite number of electromagnetic states.5,6 This greatly enhances light-matter interaction for applications, such as single photon
Zubin Jacob, University of Alberta, Canada; [email protected] DOI: 10.1557/mrs.2012.175
© 2012 Materials Research Society
MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 37 • AUGUST 2012 • www.mrs.org/bulletin
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