In this review we look at the concepts and state-of-the-art concerningthe strong coupling of surface plasmon-polariton modes to statesassociated with quantum emitters such as excitons in J-aggregates, dyemolecules and quantum dots. We explore the phenomenon of strong couplingwith reference to a number of examples involving electromagnetic fieldsand matter. We then provide a concise description of the relevantbackground physics of surface plasmon polaritons. An extensive overviewof the historical background and a detailed discussion of more recentrelevant experimental advances concerning strong coupling betweensurface plasmon polaritons and quantum emitters is then presented. Threeconceptual frameworks are then discussed and compared in depth:classical, semi-classical and fully quantum mechanical; thesetheoretical frameworks will have relevance to strong coupling beyondthat involving surface plasmon polaritons. We conclude our review with aperspective on the future of this rapidly emerging field, one we aresure will grow to encompass more intriguing physics and will develop inscope to be of relevance to other areas of science.

http://arxiv.org/abs/1405.1661

P. Törmä and W. L. Barnes

2014

12/2014

Rep. Progr. Phys.

78

013901: 1-34

normal mode splitting, strong coupling, surface plasmon polariton, vacuum Rabi splitting