SONAR — Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance in doped semiconductor nanocrystals

Results in brief

Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance in doped semiconductor nanocrystals

SONAR aims to give a clear picture of the interaction between infrared plasmonic nanomaterials and two-dimensional materials as graphene or transition metal dichalcogenides. Within SONAR the objectives are: - to explore fundamentals in doped semiconductor nanocrystals (dSNCs) including various different materials, sizes, shapes, their doping mechanism, their general dielectric properties, the case of ultralow doping, and interactions between the LSPR and the interband transition; - to exploit hybrid interactions of dSNCs to investigate exciton-plasmon, plasmon-plasmon coupling or plasmon induced ‘hot’ electron transfer and explore dSNCs for the manipulation of layered two dimensional materials; - to exploit the characteristics of dSNCs for optical devices such as electrochromics, electro-tunable light emitters, or tunable NIR photodetectors. We have published a broad review in Physics Reports entitled “Plasmonic doped semiconductor nanocrystals: Properties, fabrication, applications and perspectives” that aims to make a library of all the recently reported plasmonic doped semiconductor nanocrystals. We have also demonstrated the ultrafast switching of a doped metal oxide based photonic structure. Moreover, we reported several studies that answer important questions on the exciton and charge dynamics of two-dimensional materials. The achievements in SONAR are important for the society since these findings are necessary for the engineering of electrochromic windows, novel light emitters and near infrared detector.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Doped semiconductor nanocrystals (dSNCs) are an exciting emerging material. Carrier densities in the range of 1020-1021cm-3 lead to localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) in the near infrared (NIR). Prominent examples are copper chalcogenides, where doping occurs via vacancy formation, and metal oxides (MOs) that show plasmonic response due to impurity doping. Excitingly, both materials display post synthetic carrier density and LSPR tunability over a broad spectral range. Combined with layered two dimensional materials exciting manipulation options appear where the plasmon-exciton coupling or ‘hot’ carrier extraction enables local photo luminescence manipulation or tracking of local currents in a graphene based nano device. This active control over the LSPR allows active switching of the strength of coupling, useful also for the study of exciton-plasmon, plasmon-plasmon coupling, or plasmon induced ‘hot’ carrier extraction in nano-heterostructures. Ultralow doping allows the study of quantum plasmonics. Ultrafast photodoping, optical switching, active light manipulation or tunable NIR photon detection are additional exciting applications. While fundamental questions regarding the structure-properties relationship remain open to date the library of materials with such properties is enormous and not yet exhausted. The project combines in a unique way expert scientists with complementary competences covering chemistry, physics, spectroscopy, microscopy, device design and theory among Europe and the US adding with their expert background to address the aforementioned topics of high impact in the field of plasmonic dSNCs. Networking activities, workshops and conferences will facilitate the sharing of knowledge. Long term research exchange will enable the acquisition of new skills. The formation of a large network among the institutes after a successful completion of the SONAR will enable the career development for research and innovation staff members.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

POLITECNICO DI MILANO · MilanoCoordinatorItaly
FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA · GenovaItaly
QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON · KingstonCanada
STICHTING VU · AmsterdamNetherlands
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT BERLIN · BerlinGermany
THE PRESIDENT AND TRUSTEES OF THE OHIO UNIVERSITY · AthensUnited States
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA · OaklandUnited States
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND · AucklandNew Zealand
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM · AustinUnited States
TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK · New YorkUnited States

SONAR · Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance in doped semiconductor nanocrystals

Results in brief

Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance in doped semiconductor nanocrystals

Project objective

Participants

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