Surface plasmons mediated energy transfer from a semiconductor quantum well to an organic overlayer

TL;DR

This paper investigates how surface plasmons influence energy transfer between a semiconductor quantum well and an organic overlayer separated by a metal, showing that plasmons can significantly modify transfer rates and affect luminescence efficiency.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of surface plasmon effects on resonant energy transfer in layered structures, incorporating realistic material parameters and quenching effects.

Findings

Transfer rate can be modified by a factor of up to 44 due to surface plasmons.

Proximity to metal causes significant quenching of organic luminescence.

Geometry influences the balance between transfer enhancement and quenching.

Abstract

We consider the resonant energy transfer from a two-dimensional Wannier exciton (donor) to a Frenkel exciton of a molecular crystal overlayer (acceptor) when the active medias are separated by a metallic layer, possibly an electrode. We characterize the effect of the surface plasmon on this process. Using realistic values of material parameters, we show that it is possible to change the transfer rate within typically a factor of 5 (up to 44 according to geometrical configuration). We then take into account the quenching of the organic luminescence due to the proximity with the metal. This latter is significant and affect negatively the total internal efficiency that we discuss for different geometries.