Abstract

We have developed a simple yet rigorous theory of the enhancement of photoluminescence (PL) efficiency in the vicinity of metal nanoparticles that takes into account the enhancement during optical absorption and emission. Using an example of active InGaN quantum dots (QDs) positioned in close proximity to Ag nanospheres embedded in GaN, we show that strong enhancement can be obtained only for those QDs, atoms, or molecules that are originally inefficient in absorbing as well as in emitting optical energy.

© 2009 Optical Society of America