Plasmon-Induced Trap State Emission from Single Quantum Dots

Charge carriers trapped at localized surface defects play a crucial role in quantum dot (QD) photophysics. Surface traps offer longer lifetimes than band-edge emission, expanding the potential of QDs as nanoscale light-emitting excitons and qubits. Here, we demonstrate that nonradiative plasmon mode drives transfer from two-photon-excited to trap states. In plasmonic cavities, emission dominates while recombination is completely suppressed. The induced pathways for excitonic not only shed light on fundamental interactions spins, but also open new avenues manipulating QD optoelectronics nanophotonics applications.