Quantum plasmonics model of refractive index sensing using photon correlations
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Date
Authors
Ugwuoke, Luke C.
Kruger, T.P.J. (Tjaart)
Tame, Mark S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Physical Society
Abstract
The interaction between the electric dipole moments of a quantum emitter and a metal nanoparticle gives
rise to unique optical properties, such as interference-induced photon correlations, that could be useful for
enhanced intensity-based sensing. Using the quantum theory of photodetection, we propose a nanosensor system
comprising a quantum emitter and a metal nanoparticle that explores the possibility of utilizing higher-order
photon correlations for refractive index sensing. Both the refractive index sensitivity and resolution of the
nanosensor, whose scattering spectrum lies within the visible region, are predicted. The sensor is supported
by a substrate and driven weakly by a coherent field. By calculating the mean photocount and its second
factorial moment resulting from the scattered field of the system, the sensing performance of the intensity and
intensity-intensity correlation g(2)(0) are compared at optimal driving wavelengths. The mean photocount was
found to be inherently low, inhibiting the role of interference-induced photon antibunching in minimizing the
sensor’s intensity shot noise. However, a regime in which the noise could be reduced below the shot noise limit
is identified, leading to a quantum enhancement in the sensing performance.
Description
Keywords
Sensing performance, Noise, Noise limit, Quantum enhancement
Sustainable Development Goals
None
Citation
Ugwuoke, L.C., Kruger, T.P.J., Tame, M.S. 2024, 'Quantum plasmonics model of refractive index sensing using photon correlations', Physical Review, vol. 110, art. 043506, pp. 1-14. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.110.043506.