Nanophotonics out of equilibrium
The future of quantum technologies: superfluorescence from solution-processed, tunable materials
One of the most significant and surprising recent developments in nanocrystal studies was the observation of superfluorescence from a system of self-assembled, colloidal perovskite nanocrystals . Superfluorescence is a quantum-light property in which many …
Toward “super-scintillation” with nanomaterials and nanophotonics
Following the discovery of X-rays, scintillators are commonly used as high-energy radiation sensors in diagnostic medical imaging, high-energy physics, astrophysics, environmental radiation monitoring, and security inspections. Conventional scintillators face …
Directional spontaneous emission in photonic crystal slabs
Spontaneous emission is one of the most fundamental out-of-equilibrium processes in which an excited quantum emitter relaxes to the ground state due to quantum fluctuations. In this process, a photon is emitted that can interact with other nearby emitters and …
Hot electron enhanced photoemission from laser fabricated plasmonic photocathodes
Photocathodes are key elements in high-brightness electron sources and ubiquitous in the operation of large-scale accelerators, although their operation is often limited by their quantum efficiency and lifetime. Here, we propose to overcome these limitations …
Spatiotemporal imaging and manipulation of surface plasmons
Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) are travelling surface waves that have shown promise for applications in nanophotonics as they provide a direct route toward photon-mediated electrical signal generation – a central paradigm for speeding up and scaling down …
Enhanced inverse Faraday effect and time-dependent thermo-transmission in gold nanodisks
Nonmagnetic media can be magnetized by light via processes referred to as an inverse Faraday effect (IFE). With nonmagnetic metal nanostructures, the IFE is dominated by the presence of light-induced solenoidal surface currents or plasmons with orbital …
Resonant third-harmonic generation driven by out-of-equilibrium electron dynamics in sodium-based near-zero index thin films
We investigate resonant third-harmonic generation in near-zero index thin films driven out-of-equilibrium by intense optical excitation. Adopting the Landau weak coupling formalism to incorporate electron–electron and electron–phonon scattering processes, …
Electron-assisted probing of polaritonic light–matter states
Thanks to their exceptional spatial, spectral and temporal resolution, highly-coherent free-electron beams have emerged as powerful probes for material excitations, enabling their characterization even in the quantum regime. Here, we investigate strong …
The role of IR inactive mode in W(CO)_6 polariton relaxation process
Vibrational polaritons have shown potential in influencing chemical reactions, but the exact mechanism by which they impact vibrational energy redistribution, crucial for rational polariton chemistry design, remains unclear. In this work, we shed light on …
Subradiant plasmonic cavities make bright polariton states dark
Nanostructured plasmonic surfaces allow for precise tailoring of electromagnetic modes within sub-diffraction mode volumes, boosting light–matter interactions. This study explores vibrational strong coupling (VSC) between molecular ensembles and subradiant …