Gain without inversion in hybrid quantum dot–metallic nanoparticle systems

We study the generation of tunable gain without inversion in semiconductor quantum dots using plasmonic effects. For this we investigate the impact of localized surface plasmons on coherent nonlinear exciton effects in a quantum dot when it is located in the vicinity of a metallic nanoparticle. It is shown that when such a system is exposed to a laser field and the distance between the quantum dot and the metallic nanoparticle is reduced the initial impact of plasmons is enhancement of the ac-Stark shift in the quantum dot. When this distance is reduced beyond a critical value, the results show abrupt formation of a significant of amount of gain without inversion in the quantum dot. We show that such a 'molecular' gain is associated with the plasmonic metaresonance (PMR) formed via combined effects of laser-induced coherence in the quantum dot and plasmons.