Conceptual Implementation of a Photonic‐Plasmonic Transistor into a structured Nano‐guided Hybrid System
Abstract
The interplay between quantum emitters and plasmonic nanostructures can unlock unprecedented functionalities, potentially useful for novel‐concept photonics. In this work, the design and conceptual implementation of an integrated photonic‐plasmonic transistor is reported. A mixed top‐down and bottom‐up nanofabrication approach has been used to realize a prototype based on a nano‐guided hybrid system enabling the interaction between Au nanostructures and emitters and thus resulting in a plasmon‐exciton exchange. In analogy with a classical transistor (MOSFET), Au nanotapers have been fabricated in specific positions on a TiO2 waveguide to behave as drain, source and gate for highly localized electric near‐fields. Photopolymerization by evanescent waves has been then exploited to grow a polymeric ridge containing quantum dots directly on top of the nanotapers. The fluorescent spectrometry of the prototype evidences a sensitive Purcell enhancement of the emission of the quantum dots located in proximity of the apices of Au nanotapers. The numerical study of the hybrid system demonstrates how this enhancement is controlled to efficiently route and modulate high frequency optical signals in the novel photonic device.