Infrared Energy Conversion in Plasmonic Fields at Two-Dimensional Semiconductors

Student: Gregory Forcherio

Degree: Ph.D., May 2017

Major Professor: Dr. D. Keith Roper

Research Area(s):

Nanoscience & Engineering

Photonics

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Background

  • plasmons localize resonant energy below the diffraction limit

Innovation

  • alternative nanoantenna geometries
  • models which bridge near-field physics with far-field observables

Approach

  • design metamaterials to enhance nonlinearities of 2D semiconductors

    • discrete and coupled dipole approximations (DDA and CDA)
    • nano-imprint, electron-beam, & soft lithography
    • SEM, TEM, & STEM electron microscopy
    • multi-photon confocal microscopy

Key Results

  • demonstrated plasmon-enhanced second harmonic generation (SHG)
  • measured plasmonic energy transfer into MoS2/WS2 with STEM-EELS

Conclusions

  • plasmonic hot electron transport
  • improved nonlinear frequency conversion
  • first model to guide design

Potential Applications

  • energy harvesting
  • wearable medical devices
  • photonic circuitry
  • 2D electronics
  • biological sensors
  • portable power generation
  • heat rejection