Generation of single optical plasmons in metallic nanowires coupled to quantum dots

A new approach for achieving strong coupling between optical emitters and their environment is demonstrated by combining techniques and ideas from plasmon and quantum optics. The emitter is a semiconductor quantum dot that is placed near a silver nanowire. Light from the quantum dot can couple directly to guided surface plasmons inside the metallic nanowire, which causes the ends of the nanowire to light up. Spectroscopy measurements indicate that this is the result of single plasmons scattering from the wire end.