Selection rule and entanglement in energy transfer between doubly concentrically arranged nanostructures

Abstractauthoren We theoretically investigate the energy transfer between concentrically arranged nanostructures by using a quantum‐entanglement measure. The model system is formed in double concentric circles of interacting two‐level systems, where the outer circle is the donor and the inner circle is the acceptor. We show that a rapid energy transfer can be achieved by utilizing a strongly entangled donor–acceptor state. First, we clarify that a selection rule exists in the energy‐transfer process; the energy transfer from the donor to the acceptor occurs only between the energy eigenstates having the same rotational symmetry. Next, in terms of the analysis of the degree of quantum entanglement, we clarify that the quantum entanglement is strongly formed between the donor and acceptor with higher rotational symmetry and the energy transfer process dominates in the donor–acceptor entangled state. Finally, we show that a rapid energy transfer can occur by efficiently exciting the entangled state with the help of thermal fluctuation at room temperature. From the aspect of device applications, this mechanism has the advantage over the conventional energy‐transfer process in natural photosynthetic systems because no spatial disorder and fluctuation are required. Application to photonic devices using the nanomaterial is also discussed.