Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Towards nanoscale reality in plasmonic hot-carrier generation

Project description

Study throws more light on hot-carrier generation in plasmonic materials

Despite their tiny size, metal nanoparticles absorb and scatter light with extraordinary efficiency. This is mainly due to localised surface plasmon resonances, a phenomenon generated by light waves being trapped within metal nanoparticles. These collective plasmon modes do not live long. During their decay, they generate high-energy electrons and holes. The study of these so-called hot carriers holds ramifications for photovoltaics, photocatalysis or photodetection applications. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action programme, the researchers of the EU-funded RealNanoPlasmon project developed first-principles methods for addressing plasmonic hot-carrier generation with atomistic resolution. These methods should shed more light on atomi c-scale effects, which have been largely unexplored in approximative model-based approaches.

Objective

Metal nanoparticles absorb and scatter light much more than their physical size would suggest. This is caused by localized surface plasmon resonances formed upon light illumination in the nanoparticle. The plasmon resonances are characterized by collective oscillations of free electrons in the particle, but soon after its formation, typically on a femtosecond timescale, the collective plasmon mode decays via emission or via non-radiative creation of electron-hole pairs. As a result of the latter decay mechanism, high-energy electrons and holes, so-called hot carriers, are left behind. When these plasmon-induced hot carriers escape from the nanoparticle to the environment, or are induced there directly, they can be utilized for multitude of applications, such as photovoltaics, photocatalysis, or photodetection.

Similarly to the plasmon resonance, the distribution of plasmon-generated hot carriers is highly dependent on the size, shape, and composition of the nanoparticle. In recent years, atomic-scale effects on plasmon resonances have become increasingly scrutinized theoretically and computationally along with sophisticated experimental techniques. Despite this development, for plasmonic hot-carrier generation the bulk of the present understanding is based on model systems or approximative methods neglecting the underlying atomic structure. The aim of this project is to develop first-principles methods for addressing plasmonic hot-carrier generation by fully accounting for the atomic structure and elemental distribution, and shed light on atomic-scale effects on hot-carrier generation by virtue of the developed methods.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 191 852,16
Address
-
412 96 Goteborg
Sweden

See on map

Region
Södra Sverige Västsverige Västra Götalands län
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 191 852,16
My booklet 0 0