Esteban, RubenBorisov, Andrei G.Nordlander, PeterAizpurua, Javier2013-03-142014-03-192012Esteban, Ruben, Borisov, Andrei G., Nordlander, Peter, et al.. "Bridging quantum and classical plasmonics with a quantum-corrected model." <i>Nature Communications,</i> 3, (2012) Macmillan Publishers Limited: 825. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1806.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70653Electromagnetic coupling between plasmonic resonances in metallic nanoparticles allows for engineering of the optical response and generation of strong localized near-fields. Classical electrodynamics fails to describe this coupling across sub-nanometer gaps, where quantum effects become important owing to non-local screening and the spill-out of electrons. However, full quantum simulations are not presently feasible for realistically sized systems. Here we present a novel approach, the quantum-corrected model (QCM), that incorporates quantum-mechanical effects within a classical electrodynamic framework. The QCM approach models the junction between adjacent nanoparticles by means of a local dielectric response that includes electron tunnelling and tunnelling resistivity at the gap and can be integrated within a classical electrodynamical description of large and complex structures. The QCM predicts optical properties in excellent agreement with fully quantum mechanical calculations for small interacting systems, opening a new venue for addressing quantum effects in realistic plasmonic systems.engArticle is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.Journal articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1806