Abstract: We argue that semiconducting quenched liquids and frozen glasses may exhibit a set of peculiar electronic states of topological origin. These states reside at transient strained regions arising during structural reconfigurations between distinct aperiodic states intrinsic to quenched melts. The states are predominantly filled and serve as a non-paramagnetic source of charge carriers that may alone account for the observed magnitude of DC-conductivity.

Designer Plasmonic Antennas for Sensing and Spectroscopy Focusing of local electromagnetic fields in plasmonic materials produces enhanced signals and enables control of light propagation for spectroscopy and energy transfer applications. We are developing plasmonic architectures with structural control in order to tailor this optical antenna-like behavior.