Quantum-Coherence-Enhanced Hot-Electron Injection under Modal Strong Coupling

[Image: see text] Modal strong coupling between localized surface plasmon resonance and a Fabry–Pérot nanocavity has been studied to improve the quantum efficiency of artificial photosynthesis. In this research, we employed Au nanodisk/titanium dioxide/Au film modal strong coupling structures to investigate the mechanism of quantum efficiency enhancement. We found that the quantum coherence within the structures enhances the apparent quantum efficiency of the hot-electron injection from the Au nanodisks to the titanium dioxide layer. Under near-field mapping using photoemission electron microscopy, the existence of quantum coherence was directly observed. Furthermore, the coherence area was quantitatively evaluated by analyzing the relationship between the splitting energy and the particle number density of the Au nanodisks. This quantum-coherence-enhanced hot-electron injection is supported by our theoretical model. Based on these results, applying quantum coherence to photochemical reaction systems is expected to effectively enhance reaction efficiencies.