Enhancement of two photon processes in quantum dots embedded in subwavelength metallic gratings


  Moshe G. Harats [1]  ,  Ronen Rapaport [1]  ,  Adiel Zimran [2]  ,  Uri Banin [2]  ,  Gang Chen [3]  
[1] Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
[2] Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanothechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
[3] Bel Laboratories, Alcatel Lucent, 600 Mountain Ave. Murray Hill, NJ 07974

We show a large enhancement of two-photon absorption processes in nanocrystal quantum dots and of light upconversion efficiency from the IR to the near-IR spectral regime, using a hybrid optical device in which near-IR emitting InAs quantum dots were embedded on top a metallic nanoslit array. The resonant enhancement of these nonlinear optical processes is due to the strong local electromagnetic field enhancements inside the nanoslit array structure at the extraordinary transmission resonances. A maximal two-photon absorption enhancement of more than 20 was inferred. Different high field regions were identified for different polarizations, which can be used for designing and optimizing efficient nonlinear processes in such hybrid structures. Combining nanocrystal quantum dots with subwavelength metallic nanostructures is therfore a promising way for a range of possible nonlinear optical devices.