Exciton energy transfer between nanoparticles and nanowires

In this paper, we study the processes of exciton transfer in coupled nanoparticles and nanowires, and obtain convenient equations and numerical results for energy-transfer rates. For large distances, the energy-transfer rates are proportional to 1/d⁵, where d is the nanoparticle-nanowire distance. Our models incorporate both semiconductor and metal material systems. In this paper, we show that excitonic energy generated optically in nanoparticles can be efficiently extracted and channeled to nanowires/nanotubes by utilizing the F\"orster energy-transfer mechanism. In particular, we propose a complex composed of an indirect-band semiconductor nanowire (silicon) and direct-band nanoparticles (CdTe). The efficiency of light harvesting in the CdTe-Si complex becomes strongly enhanced due to a strongly increased absorption cross section and a reduced absorption anisotropy. The system has potential for optoelectronic applications. Hybrid metal-semiconductor complexes have more efficient energy transfer and may be used for sensors. This paper describes available experimental data and suggests further experimental realizations.