Launching single photons into plasmonic structures

Coupling single quantum emitters with plasmonic structures opens the way towards their quantum applications. However both, reliable and flexible launching of single excitation quanta and a detailed investigation of coupled quantum plasmonic system have been missing so far. We study the interaction of defect centers in diamond, molecules with thin metal wires, and bow tie and other antenna structures. By investigating the coupling efficiency as well as the coupling mechanism we achieve an improved insight into the quantum plasmon interaction.