Plasmonic hot carriers: materials and devices

Abstract

Due to their tunable light absorption characteristics and ability to generate hot carriers, plasmonic-metal nanostructures offer unique opportunities for light energy harnessing and conversion devices, from photodetectors to photoelectrochemical cells. In this talk I will show examples of functional devices and discuss in-depth the underlying physical mechanisms, with a special attention to the role of the metal properties. In particular, I will report recent results on ultrafast dynamics of hot holes as well as solid-state investigation of copper-based systems and I will discuss new opportunities for material synthesis and solar-energy storage applications.