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arXiv · 0802.2519

Coherent meta-materials and the lasing spaser

N. I. Zheludev·S. L. Prosvirnin·N. Papasimakis·V. A. Fedotov
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Abstract

In 2003 Bergman and Stockman introduced the spaser, a quantum amplifier of surface plasmons by stimulated emission of radiation [1]. They argued that, by exploiting a metal/dielectric composite medium, it should be possible to construct a nano-device, where a strong coherent field is built up in a spatial region much smaller than the wavelength [1,2]. V-shaped metallic inclusion, combined with a collection of semiconductor quantum dots were discussed as a possible realization of the spaser [1]. Here we introduce a further development of the spaser concept. We show that by combining the metamaterial and spaser ideas one can create a narrow-diversion coherent source of electromagnetic radiation that is fuelled by plasmonic oscillations. We argue that two-dimensional arrays of a certain class of plasmonic resonators supporting high-Q coherent current excitations provide an intriguing opportunity to create spatially and temporally coherent laser source, the Lasing Spaser.

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N. I. Zheludev, S. L. Prosvirnin, N. Papasimakis, V. A. Fedotov. 2008-02-18. Coherent meta-materials and the lasing spaser. https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.82

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