Modified Coupled-Mode Theory for the Absorption in Plasmonic Lattices

Surface lattice resonance supported on plasmonic nanoparticle arrays enhances light-matter interactions for applications such as photoluminescence enhancement. The photoluminescence process is enhanced through confining light beyond the diffraction limit and inducing stronger light–matter interaction. In this work, the absorption mechanisms of plasmonic nanoparticle arrays embedded with photoluminescent absorbers are analyzed. A modified coupled-mode theory that describes the optical behavior of the surface lattice resonance was developed and verified by numerical simulations. Based on the analytical model, different components of the absorption contributed by the nanoparticles and the absorbers as well as the resonant properties of each of the components are identified. The origin of difference in resonant behavior with different materials is also discovered by exploring the nearfield characteristics of surface lattice resonance composed with a variety of materials.