Hot Electron Physics and Applications

The field of plasmonics studies the remarkably strong interaction of metallic nanoparticles with light, resulting from the resonant excitation of their quasi-free electrons. Among the various properties of plasmonic resonances, it has become clear that the excitation of high-energy electrons holds particular interest for implementing energy harvesting or photodetection strategies as well as activating chemical reactions. In this Special Topic, we showcase new studies presenting a longitudinal slice of the current state of research in plasmonic hot electrons, covering fundamentals to novel approaches, while discussing both the promise and limitations of using plasmonic hot carriers in scientific and technological applications.

Guest Editors: Rupert Oulton, Lucas V. Besteiro, Emiliano Cortés, Satoshi Ishii, and Prineha Narang