Quantum plasmonics with a metal nanoparticle array

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of metal nanoparticle arrays as quantum channels for nanophotonic communication, analyzing quantum state transfer, interference effects, and the impact of metal loss on performance.

Contribution

It provides a quantum mechanical analysis of nanoparticle arrays for quantum communication, including loss effects and nonlinear plasmonic interference, which was not thoroughly addressed before.

Findings

Quantum states can be transferred through nanoparticle arrays.

Loss in metal affects quantum coherence and performance.

Single-plasmon interference exhibits nonlinear absorption effects.

Abstract

We investigate an array of metal nanoparticles as a channel for nanophotonic quantum communication and the generation of quantum plasmonic interference. We consider the transfer of quantum states, including single-qubits as plasmonic wavepackets, and highlight the necessity of a quantum mechanical description by comparing the predictions of quantum theory with those of classical electromagnetic theory. The effects of loss in the metal are included, thus putting our investigation into a practical setting and enabling the quantification of the performance of realistic nanoparticle arrays as plasmonic quantum channels. We explore the interference of single plasmons, finding nonlinear absorption effects associated with the quantum properties of the plasmon excitations. This work highlights the benefits and drawbacks of using nanophotonic periodic systems for quantum plasmonic applications, such as quantum communication, and the generation of quantum interference.