Electric Spaser in the Extreme Quantum Limit

TL;DR

This paper theoretically demonstrates the fundamental feasibility of an electrically excited spaser using a nanowire in the extreme quantum limit, highlighting its potential for ultrafast optoelectronic applications.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of an electrically pumped spaser in the extreme quantum regime with common plasmonic metals, expanding the understanding of quantum limits in nanoplasmonic devices.

Findings

Spaser is fundamentally possible with a single conductance-quantum nanowire.

Performance improves with multiple-quanta or non-quantized conductance nanowires.

Potential applications include optical sources, nanoamplifiers, and digital logic devices at ultrafast speeds.

Abstract

We consider theoretically the spaser excited electrically via a nanowire with ballistic quantum conductance. We show that in the extreme quantum regime, i.e., for a single conductance-quantum nanowire, the spaser with the core made of common plasmonic metals, such as silver and gold, is fundamentally possible. For ballistic nanowires with multiple-quanta or non-quantized conductance, the performance of the spaser is enhanced in comparison with the extreme quantum limit. The electrically-pumped spaser is promising as an optical source, nanoamplifier, and digital logic device for optoelectronic information processing with speed ~100 GHz to ~100 THz.