Photoemission from metal nanoparticles

TL;DR

This paper extends a model for photoemission from metal nanoparticles by including localized plasmon resonance and electromagnetic field effects, showing significantly increased photoemission currents useful for photodetectors and solar cells.

Contribution

It generalizes the Brodsky and Gurevitch approach to account for plasmon resonance and surface effects, revealing enhanced photoemission from nanoparticles.

Findings

Photoemission current increases several times in nanoparticles.

Electromagnetic field enhancement near the surface boosts photoemission.

Potential applications in photodetectors and solar energy devices.

Abstract

A.Brodsky and Yu.Gurevitch approach is discussed and generalized for photoemission from metal nano-particles taking into account the excitation of localized plasmon resonance (LPR) and changes of electromagnetic field (EMF) and conduction electron mass in the metal - environment interface. New result is the increase of photo-emission current several time respectively to the case of continues metal film due to increase of intensity of EMF near the surface of nanoparticles and also due to surface phenomena mentioned above. Results can be applied for development new photodetectors, photo energy converters (solar cells) and for more studies of photoemission from metal nanoparticles.