Effect of a dimer of nanoparticles on the linewidth of forbidden E2 transitions

In the framework of classical electrodynamics we have obtained and investigated analytical expressions for the radiation linewidth of forbidden E2 transitions in an atom located near a dimer of spherical particles. It is shown that the material of particles, their location and size have a significant effect on the linewidth of the E2 transition in the atom. It is found that in the gap between metal spherical nanoparticles, the linewidth of E2 transitions in the atom can take on substantially larger values than in the case of an atom near a single metal nanoparticle.