Local density of states for nanoplasmonics

Abstract: We obtain the local density of states (LDOS) for any nanoplasmonic system in the frequency range dominated by a localized surface plasmon. By including the Ohmic losses in a consistent way, we show that the plasmon LDOS is proportional to the local field intensity normalized by the absorbed power. We obtain explicit formulas for the energy transfer (ET) between quantum emitters and plasmons as well as between donors and acceptors situated near a plasmonic structure. In the latter case, we find that the plasmon-assisted ET rate is proportional to the LDOS product at the donor and acceptor positions, obtain, in a general form, the plasmon ET enhancement factor, and establish the transition onset between Forster-dominated and plasmon-dominated ET regimes.