PROJECT TITLE :

Novel Nanoscale Single-Metal Polarization-Sensitive Infrared Detectors

ABSTRACT:

We have a tendency to report a vastly simplified approach to infrared (IR) detection based on a single-metal nanostructure. This integrated structure contains a dipole antenna and a thermocouple (TC). The antenna provides wavelength selectivity, and therefore the TC provides the conversion from optical to electrical signals. Moreover, the same nanowire structure serves each because the receiving element (antenna) and as the rectifying element (TC), yielding a highly integrated detector system. This study exploits a newly discovered thermoelectric result in single-metal nanostructures with cross-sectional discontinuities to affect the TC functionality. So as to optimize the IR response, devices with various antenna lengths are simulated and fabricated. Both simulations and experiments demonstrate that the locations of the hot and cold TC junctions reverse as the polarization of the incident IR radiation changes, which leads to reversal of the output signal polarity. The fabrication complexity of these single-metal devices is greatly reduced compared to that of alternative IR detector approaches, and their distinctive polarization-dependent response makes them enticing for brand new classes of IR systems.