Theory of the strong coupling between quantum emitters and propagating surface plasmons

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive quantum theoretical framework to understand and optimize the strong coupling between quantum emitters and surface plasmons on metal surfaces, including dissipation effects.

Contribution

It introduces an ab-initio quantum model that captures coherent coupling, dissipation, and dephasing for single and multiple emitters, advancing the understanding of strong coupling phenomena.

Findings

Identifies key physical mechanisms of strong coupling.

Provides criteria to optimize coupling strength.

Accounts for dissipation and dephasing effects.

Abstract

Here we present the theoretical foundation of the strong coupling phenomenon between quantum emitters and propagating surface plasmons observed in two-dimensional metal surfaces. For that purpose, we develop an ab-initio quantum framework that accounts for the coherent coupling be- tween emitters and surface plasmons and incorporates the presence of dissipation and dephasing. For both a single emitter and a disordered ensemble of emitters, our formalism is able to reveal the key physical mechanisms that explain the reported phenomenology and also to determine the physical parameters that optimize the strong coupling.