Programmable Quantum Mode Switches via Plasmonic Toroidal Nanoantennae

Abstract

The ability to switch and program the spectral response of quantum modes via deterministically located plasmonic nanoantennae presents opportunities for wide spectrum of applications from biosensors to quantum computing. Due to its topology, toroidal nanoantenna (TNA) focuses immense amount of three-dimensional (3D) local electric field by toroidal moment while allowing pre and post positioning around quantum emitters (QEs). Here, within local-response finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations, we demonstrate high-contrast spectral switching of the radiative decay channel of a dipolar QE coupled to a TNA by introducing effective Lorentzian quantum objects (QOs). At optimized TNA geometries, Fano interference between the broadband plasmonic continuum and narrow quantum transitions of QOs suppresses both radiative and non-radiative decay channels near 850 nm, yielding an observable full switching that traps energy within the hybrid mode instead of re-emitting it. To show the promises of the concept, we further demonstrate systems with multiple QOs where spectral degeneracy enhances the transparency bandwidth, while detuning generates distinct minima, enabling individually addressable spectral responses. These results establish plasmonic TNAs as promising architectures for spectral detection and individual mode switching of single- or multi-QO configurations and empowers the user for the implementation of photonic processing of continuous photon sources.