Polarization-Dependent Lasing Behavior from Low-Symmetry Nanocavity Arrays

This paper reports how geometric effects in low-symmetry plasmonic nanoparticle arrays can produce polarization-dependent lasing responses. We developed a scalable fabrication procedure to pattern rhombohedral arrays of aluminum anisotropic nanoparticles that support lattice plasmon modes from both first-order and second-order diffraction coupling. We found that nanoparticle shape can be used to engineer the spatial overlap between electromagnetic hot spots of different lattice modes and dye gain to support plasmonic lasing. The lasing behavior revealed that plasmon-exciton energy transfer depends on polarization, with stronger coupling and faster dynamics when the transition dipole moments of the excited gain are aligned with the electric field of the plasmon modes.