Recent review of surface plasmons and plasmonic hot electron effects in metallic nanostructures

Abstract

Plasmonic resonators are widely used for the manipulation of light on subwavelength scales through the near-field electromagnetic wave produced by the collective oscillation of free electrons within metallic systems, well known as the surface plasmon (SP). The non-radiative decay of the surface plasmon can excite a plasmonic hot electron. This review article systematically describes the excitation progress and basic properities of SPs and plasmonic hot electrons according to recent publications. The extraction mechanism of plasmonic hot electrons via Schottky conjunction to an adjacent semiconductor is also illustrated. Also, a calculation model of hot electron density is given, where the efficiency of hot-electron excitation, transport and extraction is discussed. We believe that plasmonic hot electrons have a huge potential in the future development of optoelectronic systems and devices.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

surface plasmon / plasmonic hot electrons / plasmonic resonators / electron−electron scattering / Schottky conjunctions / nanophotonics

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Declarations

The authors declare that they have no competing interests and there are no conflicts.

Acknowledgements

The work was supported by the Smart Ideas Fund by Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, New Zealand through contract UOOX1802 and the University of Otago, by means of the University of Otago Postgraduate Publishing Bursary (Doctoral).

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