This dissertation develops computational models to study the optical coupling between plasmonic nanoparticles and quantum emitters. A large number of nanophotonic applications function by using either plasmon enhanced fields to enhance optical processes within quantum emitters or the sensitivity of plasmon resonances to their environment. Developing computational methods to fully describe the interactions between metal nanoparticles and emitters is vital for the future design of nanophotonic devices. Here we incorporate classical and semiclassical models of quantum emitters into classical electrodynamics methods, which have been previously demonstrated to accurately study the optical response of metal nanoparticles. First we describe the absorption of a quantum dot film with a classical dielectric and a quantum mechanical inhomogenously broadened three level system. We then describe the coupling of the quantum dots to a gold nanoisland film, providing insights into how to best design photodetectors. We then extend that model to include effects from a film of linker molecules, investigating how the orientation of the molecular induced dipoles affect the plasmon resonances of the nanoislands. Then we develop a new methodology to study the chiroptical coupling between an arbitrary plasmonic system and thin molecular films. Finally we utilized the built up methodology to attempt to optimize metal nanostructures for dye-sensitized solar cell applications. The results from this dissertation provide a framework for the future study of quantum emitters coupled to metal nanoparticles.

Last modified

• 10/08/2019

Creator

• Thomas Alexander Reichmanis Purcell

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/n2-y4zt-xx35

Subject

• Chemistry

Keyword

• Quantum Dots
• Plexcitons
• Metal Nanoparticles
• Plasmonics
• Chiral Imprinting
• FDTD

Date created

• 2018-01-01

Resource type

• Dissertation

Rights statement

• In Copyright