Fluorescence quenching in plasmonic dimers due to electron tunneling

Abstract Plasmonic nanoparticles provide an ideal environment for the enhancement of fluorescent emission. On one hand, they locally amplify electromagnetic fields, increasing emitter excitation rate, and on other a high local density states that accelerates spontaneous However, when is placed in close proximity to single metal nanoparticle, number nonradiative increases dramatically, causing fluorescence quench. It has been predicted theoretically that, through judicious placing emitter, plasmonic nanocavities can be increased monotonically. In this article, we show such monotonic increase due use response approximation description nanoparticles. We demonstrate taking into account electron tunneling nonlocality surrounding system via quantum hydrodynamic theory results eventually quenching also nanocavity, as opposed Thomas–Fermi results. This outcome marks importance considering effects, particular, correctly describe emission effects systems at nanoscale.