We investigate the dynamics of a quantum emitter (quantum dot) placed in the vicinity of a flat metal surface. The dynamics is induced by the coupling between the emitter and surface plasmon-polaritons. The plasmon-polariton modes are described within a continuous media model with a nonlocal Lindhard-type dielectric response of the metal. The analytic solution of the dynamical equations is obtained in the rotating wave approximation. The results demonstrate a considerable influence of the nonlocality of the electromagnetic response and the Landau damping in the metal. In particular, the relaxation dynamics is characterized by two distinct times that may differ by large amounts as a consequence of the nonlocality of the response. It is also shown that one of the contributions to the relaxation can have a power-law long-time asymptote, leading to notable changes in the dynamical pattern.

• Received 25 January 2016
• Revised 11 April 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.93.195414