Spaser linewidth enhancement

Abstract

The concept of spaser, as the coherent near-field generator, based on nanometric plasmonic resonators, has been successfully demonstrated in number of experiments. Here we have developed the theoretical framework for description of the basic properties of the spaser linewidth and, in particular, linewidth enhancement. In order to achieve this, we have introduced explicitly the time dependence in the quasistatic description of localized surface plasmon resonances via inclusion of the dispersion of a spectral parameter, defining the localized plasmon resonance wavelength. Linewidth enhancement factor was estimated for semiconductor gain medium and was found to be of order of 3-6, strongly depending on carrier density in the active layer, and resulting in more than order of magnitude broader linewidth compared to that, predicted by the Schawlow-Townes theory.