This thesis is concerned with the transfer of energy from light to matter. Over a century ago it was established that light consists of packets of energy [1], now known as photons. Not much later... Show moreThis thesis is concerned with the transfer of energy from light to matter. Over a century ago it was established that light consists of packets of energy [1], now known as photons. Not much later the energy levels of matter at the atomic scale were found to be discrete [2]. These phenomena required a new physical description that has become the theory of quantum mechanics [3]. Now, this theory of light and matter could contribute to tackling a fundamental socioeconomic and technological challenge: To find a sustainable supply of useful energy that is cheap, abundant and generated on-the-spot Show less
