Ultrafast coherent energy transfer with high efficiency based on plasmonic nanostructures

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical model demonstrating ultrafast, high-efficiency energy transfer between molecules in plasmonic nanostructures, highlighting the role of quantum coherence and strong coupling effects.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework combining master equations and Green's tensor techniques to analyze energy transfer in plasmonic hot spots, including nonlocal effects.

Findings

Energy transfer efficiency can be significantly improved.

Transfer time can be reduced to dozens of femtoseconds.

Quantum coherence plays a crucial role in enhancing transfer performance.

Abstract

The theory of energy transfer dynamics of a pair of donor and acceptor molecules located in the plasmonic hot spots is developed by means of the master equation approach and the electromagnetic Green's tensor technique. A nonlocal effect has been considered by using a hydrodynamic model. The coherent interaction between the two molecules in plasmonic nanostructures is investigated under some strong coupling conditions. It is shown that the energy transfer efficiency of a pair of molecules can be improved largely and the transfer time decreases to dozens of femtoseconds when the contribution of quantum coherence is considered. The physical origin for such a phenomenon has also been analyzed. This ultrafast and high-efficiency energy transfer mechanism could be beneficial for artificial light-harvesting devices.