Quantum correlations across a metallic screen

Abstract

We show that an optical multilayer system comprising a thin metallic film sandwiched between two different half-space dielectrics generates remarkable quantum correlations for dipole emitters embedded in the structure, both in the far zone and in the near zone. For a pair of such dipole emitters localized in the same region of the structure, the correlations display super-radiance and subradiance phenomena, but the system allows for an unusual and seldom considered scenario in which the emitters are located on different sides and so they are separated by the metallic screen. We explore the quantum correlations in this situation and find that they are sensitive to the type of metallic screen as well as dipole orientation and dielectric mismatch across the screen. We point out the high-symmetry features and attribute the underlying physics to a subtle interplay between image and screening effects in the presence of dielectric mismatch.