Quantum coherence effects in hybrid nanoparticle molecules in the presence of ultra-short dephasing times

We study quantum coherence effects in single nanoparticle systems consisting of a semiconductor quantum dot and a metallic nanoparticle in the presence of the ultra-short dephasing times of the quantum dots. The results suggest that coherent exciton-plasmon coupling can sustain the collective molecular resonances (plasmonic meta-resonances) of these systems at about room temperature. We investigate quantum optical properties of the quantum dots under this condition, demonstrating formation of ultranarrow gain and absorption spectral lines. These results are discussed in terms of plasmonic normalization of coherent population oscillation and the collective states of the nanoparticle systems. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4767653]