We discuss theoretical predictions for ultrafast (mostly femtosecond) linear and nonlinear optical phenomena in metal/insulator and metal/semiconductor nanocomposites. In metal/insulator nanocomposites, we consider spontaneous and coherently-controlled energy concentration. We show that very strong (many orders of magnitude in local-field intensity) ultrafast concentration of energy on nanoscale is possible. In metal/semiconductor quantum dot nanocomposites, we consider a fascinating possibility of quantum generator due to spaser (surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation). Various applications are discussed.

Date Published: 30 May 2003
PDF: 15 pages
Proc. SPIE 4992, Ultrafast Phenomena in Semiconductors VII, (30 May 2003); doi: 10.1117/12.473273

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4992:
Ultrafast Phenomena in Semiconductors VII
Kong-Thon F. Tsen; Jin-Joo Song; Hongxing Jiang, Editor(s)