Committee: 

Dr. Cai, Advisor  

Dr. Peterson, Chair

Dr. Z. Zhang

Abstract: The objective of the proposed research is to study how hot carrier dynamics and the optical properties of plasmonic metasurfaces show mutual influence through pump-probe spectroscopy. Different parts of the hot carrier injection processes like hot carrier excitation, tunneling injection, and back transfer of the carriers are investigated. Preliminary studies include the design and fabrication of plasmonic devices which emphasize each of the aforementioned processes. Furthermore, an angle-resolved transient pump-probe spectroscopy has been performed to explore the influence of hot carrier generation to optical resonance modes. In order to reveal the full picture of hot carrier injection processes, Strategic methods of characterizing the fabricated devices and qualitatively analyzing the measured carrier dynamics of plasmonic metasurfaces are proposed. A comprehensive understanding of hot carrier dynamics can lead to new or enhanced functionalities of all-optically controlled active photonic platforms, opening new avenues for novel applications.