Plasmonic Nanoparticles combine the size-dependent tunability with unique plasmonic properties. The plasmonic resonance can be understood as a collective electron oscillation inside the metallic nanoparticle.  Thus, they act as nanoatennas which enhance the electrical near-field by orders of magnitude. Changing size, geometry and material allows the shifting of the plasmonic resonance accross the electromagnetic spectrum from the ultraviolet over the visible to the near-infrared regime. Besides these optical properties, the particles exhibit extraordinary electronic properties in form of so called 'Hot electrons' as well. These electrons develop in succession to the electron oscillation within 10fs and must be transferred to a semiconductor over a Schottky barrier within a few picoseconds, providing ultrafast electrons. Thereby, new hybrid materials can be developed and existing optoelectronic materials can be further tuned and pushed to their limits.

In my work I want to decrease the rise time (characteristic time it takes the photocurrent to arise to a specific level) of existing optoelectronic materials with the use of hot electrons. Furthermore, new hybrid materials consisting of plasmonic nanoparticles and organic and inorganic semiconductors are developed.  Additionally, advanced lithographic methods will be used to optimize the electrode layout for the time-resolved measurements.