Nonradiative lifetime of excited states near a small metal particle.

Abstract

The nonradiative lifetime of excited states near a small (\ensuremath{\lesssim}2 nm) metal particle is investigated within a purely electromagnetic model. The excited state is described as a point dipole, and the metal particle is characterized by its self-consistently obtained nonlocal density-density correlation function. Resonant coupling, between excited states of adsorbates and various electronic excitations of the metal particle, is shown to be an important lifetime-determining decay channel.