Photovoltages and hot electrons in plasmonic nanogaps

Abstract

In metal nanostructures under illumination, multiple different processes can drive current flow, and in an open- circuit configuration some of these processes lead to the production of open-circuit photovoltages. Structures that have plasmonic resonances at the illumination wavelength can have enhanced photovoltage response, due to both increased interactions with the incident radiation field, and processes made possible through the dynamics of the plasmon excitations themselves. Here we review photovoltage response driven by thermoelectric effects in continuous metal nanowires and photovoltage response driven by hot electron production and tunneling. We discuss the prospects for enhancing and quantifying hot electron generation and response via the combination of local plasmonic resonances and propagating surface plasmon polaritons.