There is plenty of room at the top: generation of hot charge carriers and their applications in perovskite and other semiconductor-based optoelectronic devices

Abstract

Hot charge carriers (HC) are photoexcited electrons and holes that exist in nonequilibrium high-energy states of photoactive materials. Prolonged cooling time and rapid extraction are the current challenges for the development of future innovative HC-based optoelectronic devices, such as HC solar cells (HCSCs), hot energy transistors (HETs), HC photocatalytic reactors, and lasing devices. Based on a thorough analysis of the basic mechanisms of HC generation, thermalization, and cooling dynamics, this review outlines the various possible strategies to delay the HC cooling as well as to speed up their extraction. Various materials with slow cooling behavior, including perovskites and other semiconductors, are thoroughly presented. In addition, the opportunities for the generation of plasmon-induced HC through surface plasmon resonance and their technological applications in hybrid nanostructures are discussed in detail. By judiciously designing the plasmonic nanostructures, the light coupling into the photoactive layer and its optical absorption can be greatly enhanced as well as the successful conversion of incident photons to HC with tunable energies can also be realized. Finally, the future outlook of HC in optoelectronics is highlighted which will provide great insight to the research community.

Photoinduced large polaron transport and dynamics in organic–inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskite with terahertz probes

“…As the length of charge diffusion is determined by the carrier recombination lifetime, the charge extraction is still suitable, despite the polaron mobility is relatively low. Thus, insights into the large polarons in the nonequilibrium higher energy states are crucial for developing efficient hot carrier-based optoelectronic applications 107 . As such, with the advance in device fabrication and characterization of MHPs using femtosecond laser techniques, the photodegradation and transient laser heating effect need to be addressed and will be the topic of future work.…”

Impacts of CsPbBr3/PbSe Heterostructures on Carrier Cooling Dynamics at Low Carrier Density

“…[ 8–11 ] Therefore, it is essential to develop a solar absorber with retarded HC cooling rate. [ 12,13 ]…”

“…[8][9][10][11] Therefore, it is essential to develop a solar absorber with retarded HC cooling rate. [12,13] Due to their extraordinary performance, metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have recently emerged as front-runner materials in low-cost, high-performance solar cells. [14][15][16] A lot of interest has been shown to understand the HC cooling dynamics of lead halide perovskite (LHP)to find out potential applications.…”

Terahertz Detection with Optically Gated Halide Perovskites

“…Recent experiments on the generation of ultrafast photocurrents in halide perovskites excited with a femtosecond laser leading to the emission of THz pulses 12−17 and modulation of THz waves 18−20 demonstrated the high potential of these hybrid materials for THz optoelectronics. 21 Meanwhile, increasing the efficiency of pulsed terahertz sources and detectors due to more advanced designs or new materials is one of the main directions in the field of terahertz technologies.. 22−24 Recently, the generation of THz radiation from optically excited large-aperture photoconductive antennas based on hybrid perovskites has already been demonstrated. 25 However, a photoconductive antenna can be used not only for the generation of THz waves but also for their detection.…”

“…However, while well examined in the optical range, these materials remain much less explored in the THz band. Recent experiments on the generation of ultrafast photocurrents in halide perovskites excited with a femtosecond laser leading to the emission of THz pulses − and modulation of THz waves − demonstrated the high potential of these hybrid materials for THz optoelectronics . Meanwhile, increasing the efficiency of pulsed terahertz sources and detectors due to more advanced designs or new materials is one of the main directions in the field of terahertz technologies.. − …”