Collective F\"orster energy transfer modified by the planar metallic mirror

Abstract

We present a theory of the F\"orster energy transfer between the arrays of donor and acceptor molecules lying on the planar metallic mirror. We reveal strong modification of the effective transfer rate by the mirror in the incoherent pumping regime. The rate can be either suppressed or enhanced depending on the relative positions between acceptor and donor arrays. The strong modification of the transfer rate is a collective effect, mediated by the light-induced coupling between the donors; it is absent in the single donor model.