Coherent Interaction of Light with a Metallic Structure Coupled to a Single Quantum Emitter: From Superabsorption to Cloaking

Abstract

We provide a general theoretical platform based on quantized radiation in absorptive and inhomogeneous media for investigating the coherent interaction of light with material structures in the immediate vicinity of quantum emitters. In the case of a very small metallic cluster, we demonstrate extreme regimes where a single emitter can either counteract or enhance particle absorption by 3 orders of magnitude. For larger structures, we show that an emitter can eliminate both scattering and absorption and cloak a plasmonic antenna. We provide physical interpretations of our results and discuss their applications in active metamaterials and quantum plasmonics. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.153605 © 2013 American Physical Society