Surface plasmon-enhanced photoluminescence from a single quantum well

Abstract

We have dramatically enhanced the photoluminescence intensity emitted from a single quantum well (typically by factors of 3–6) by covering the sample surface with a thin semitransparent metallic film. Using a photolithographically prepared gold grating, we show that this enhancement is due to the excitation of surface plasmons on the metal. By selectively turning off the surface plasmon excitation via sample or light polarization rotation, the enhancement can be suppressed.