The Au portion is the resonant antenna
Attaching a metallic nanoantenna, tuned to the infrared spectrum, to a semiconductor material may be the next big advancement for solar. By attaching the two, a Schottky barrier is created. When infrared light hits the barrier, or antenna, a plasmon is created.( A plasmon is an oscillation of free electron density against the fixed positive ions in a metal - wiki)When a plasmon decays it either emits a photon of light or a burst of heat. Lead researcher, Naomi Halas, at Rice University wants to use the plasmon heat option for a new type of solar cell boost. Halas found that when a plasmon transfers its heat, it does so to a single electron, dubbed a "hot electron." This hot electron can jump the Schottky barrier and directly generate current. Normal solar panels can not collect infrared light due to the bandgap, when any light below a certain frequency passes through the silicon. With 1/3 of the solar energy hitting the surface of the planet being infrared light, a huge boost to solar harvesting is possible.
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