Plasmonic hot-electron technologies for nanoscale energy conversion

This project aims to improve the efficiency of plasmonically enhanced hot-electron photodiodes to over 50% at resonance. This new class of optoelectronic device has unique capabilities that make it attractive for solar fuel generation and targeted photodetection. Plasmonically enhanced hot-electron technologies are in the earliest stage of development and efficiencies have consistently been low. This project is expected to make real advances towards the development of effective hot-electron devices which will directly impact a range of applications of local and global importance; including alternative energy production, and the next generation of imaging and sensing technologies for the biomedical and health industries.