Spectrally Adaptive Smart Sensors Based on Nanoscale Quantum Dots

提出的努力的目的是开发自适应传感器在中红外波段（3-14微米）纳入大面积焦平面阵列。传统的红外传感器要么采用前视红外（FLIR）成像仪，要么采用傅里叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱仪。我们计划通过开发高性能子带间量子点（QD）探测器并将其与自适应信号处理算法集成以提高其性能，可调性和适应性来实现这一目标。这些传感器的一个可能应用是检测有毒化学和生物制剂，其中大多数在该波长范围内具有特征吸收特征。使用这种方法，初步测量已经产生了一种自适应传感器，其中心波长可以在5-8_m之间连续调谐，用户选择的带宽在0.5-2_m之间。我们希望进一步增加工作波长范围，并优化传感器的带宽。拟议活动的智力优势：虽然量子点探测器提供了广泛的光谱覆盖；较宽的线宽不足以用于光谱传感应用。co - pi， Tyo和Hayat开发了创新的后处理方案，以降低可用的光谱分辨率，同时保持QD探测器的广谱覆盖。除了作为一种使能技术在实际控制单个探测器的光谱响应方面的好处之外，所提出的后处理技术的另一个优点是，它允许相同的FPA在FLIR模式下操作，作为双色相机，作为MSI系统，甚至作为准HSI系统。拟议活动产生的更广泛影响：pi对课堂教育和让本科生参与实验室研究都有承诺。pi的研究小组目前有6名本科生，其中包括两名学生。此外，该项目的结果将影响pi在光电器件和光谱成像方面开发的两门新课程。该项目将导致在新墨西哥纳米科学联盟等论坛上更广泛地传播知识，这将有助于该州的经济发展。拟议中的研究也将为社会提供潜在的好处。例如，基于自适应量子点传感器技术的机载系统可以提供早期检测和预警可能的化学制剂威胁，并防止生命损失。

The aim of the proposed effort is to develop adaptive sensors in the mid-infrared regime (3-14 _m) for incorporation into large area focal plane arrays. Traditional infrared sensors employ either a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imager or a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. We plan to achieve this goal by developing high performance intersubband quantum dot (QD) detectors and integrating them with adaptive signal-processing algorithms to enhance their performance, tunability, and adaptability. One possible application of these sensors is detection of toxic chemical and biological agents, most of which have characteristic absorption features in this wavelength regime. Using this approach, preliminary measurements have yielded an adaptive sensor whose center wavelength can be continuously tuned from 5-8_m with a user chosen bandwidth between 0.5-2_m. We wish to further increase the operating wavelength range and optimize the bandwidth of the sensor.Intellectual Merit of the Proposed Activity: Although QD detectors provide a wide spectral coverage; the broad line width is inadequate for spectral sensing applications. Innovative post-processing schemes have been developed by Co-PIs, Tyo and Hayat, to reduce the available spectral resolution while maintaining the broad spectral coverage of the QD detectors. Besides its benefit as an enabling technique in virtually controlling the spectral response of individual detectors, another advantage of the proposed post-processing technique is that it allows the same FPA to be operated in the FLIR mode, as a two-color camera, as an MSI system, or even as a quasi HSI system.Broader Impacts Resulting from the Proposed Activity: The PIs have a commitment both to classroom education and to involving undergraduates in laboratory research. The PIs presently have six undergraduates in their research group, including two students. Additionally, results from this project will impact two new courses that have been developed by the PIs in optoelectronic devices and spectral imagery. The project would lead to a broader dissemination of knowledge in forums such as the New Mexico Nano-Science Alliance, which would aid the economic development of the state. The proposed research would also provide potential benefits to society. For example, an airborne system based on the adaptive QD sensor technology developed here could provide early detection and warning of a possible chemical agent threat and prevent loss of life.