Bright Optical Eigenmode of<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mn>1</mml:mn><mml:mtext> </mml:mtext><mml:mtext> </mml:mtext><mml:msup><mml:mi>nm</mml:mi><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msup></mml:math>Mode Volume

Abstract

We report on the discovery and rationale to devise bright single optical eigenmodes that feature quantum-optical mode volumes of about 1 nm^{3}. Our findings rely on the development and application of a quasinormal mode theory that self-consistently treats fields and electron nonlocality, spill-out, and Landau damping around atomistic protrusions on a metallic nanoantenna. By outpacing Landau damping with radiation via properly designed antenna modes, the extremely localized modes become bright with radiation efficiencies reaching 30% and could provide up to 4×10^{7} times intensity enhancement.

Topics & Concepts