Nanostructuring of thin metallic films can lead to either resonant or broadband absorption, followed by ohmic loss and energy dissipation as heat. However, if the absorption occurs near an interface, an opportunity arises to capture the energy prior to thermalization. In this talk, we will present our recent work on hot carrier generation and collection in metallic films and nanostructures and discussion future applications that could enable solar cells with efficiencies in excess of 40%. We will show fabricated hot carrier devices using Au and Al and discuss applications for both improved photovoltaic performance and near-IR detectors.

Bio: Dr. Jeremy N. Munday is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. He received his PhD in Physics from Harvard University in 2008 and was a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech prior to his appointment at Maryland. His research themes range from quantum electromechanical phenomena (such as the Casimir effect) to fundamental solar energy conversion processes with an emphasis on the optics, photonics, and thermodynamics of such systems. He and his group strive to demonstrate new technologies based on fundamental physics and energy conversion processes. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER Award, ONR YIP Award, the OSA Adolph Lomb Medal, the IEEE Photonics Society Young Investigator Award, the SPIE Early Career Achievement Award, and the NASA Early Career Faculty Space Technology Research Award.