Hot electron physics and applications

The ‘Hot Electron Physics and Applications’ Special Topic Collection presents work that cuts across fundamental and applied divisions in a range of lines of inquiry open in the field of study of hot electrons, addressing fundamental questions related to hot electron dynamics, and probing different approaches for increasing the efficiency and versatility of these energetic carriers in applied settings, such as photovoltaics and photocatalysis. This selection of articles explores the behavior of a variety of materials, covering the study of plasmonic and semiconductor systems. Researchers also present a general discussion on the physics of hot carrier solar cells and outline a proposal for using semiconductors with band structures offering metastable valleys where hot carriers suffer lower phonon-mediated losses.