All-optical switching between quantum dot nanoarrays

An all-optical switching device is proposed, based on a sandwich structure comprising two-dimensional square-lattice nanoarrays of donor and acceptor quantum dots. The system operates on Förster energy transfer between the dark states of the individual nanoparticles, normally precluded by selection rules. On application of an off-resonant laser beam, a nonlinear mechanism activates transfer between spatially correlated quantum dots across an optically passive spacer layer, signifying an active switching action with parallel processing capability. In this report, electrodynamic theory is employed to analyse the system and to evaluate its energy transfer fidelity. The results of model calculations are presented in graphical form. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.