Polarized coherent emission outside high-symmetry points of dye-coupled plasmonic lattices

Abstract

Developing intense, coherent and ultra-fast light sources with nanoscale dimensions is a crucial issue for many applications in nanophotonics. To date, plasmonic nanolasers represent one of the most promising nanophotonic devices capable of this remarkable feature. In the present work we report on the emission properties of two-dimensional Au hexagonal nanodome arrays, fabricated by nanosphere lithography, coupled with a dye liquid solution used as the gain medium. Low-threshold stimulated emission at room temperature is demonstrated by spectral and angle-resolved photoluminescence measurements performed as a function of the pump fluence. The emission arises with narrow angular divergence in off-normal direction, out of high-symmetry points of the plasmonic lattice. The polarization properties of the stimulated emission are investigated, revealing a strong linear polarization character controlled by the polarization orientation of the pumping beam, while the first-order temporal coherence properties are measured by using a tilted-mirrors Michelson interferometer. Finally, by comparing the results obtained for the plasmonic Au nanodomes arrays with those of purely dielectric nanoarrays, the role of the plasmonic modes and the photonic lattice modes in the emission process is highlighted.