High-Sensitivity Ultra-Wide Sensing Range 2D Photonic Crystal Strain Sensor

提出了一种高灵敏度超宽应变传感范围的二维光子晶体应变传感器。该器件由嵌入低折射率聚合物的高折射率纳米柱的二维阵列组成，从而形成二维纳米光子晶体。当光入射到光子晶体上时，由于光子晶体平板中的导模共振，特定的共振波长被反射回来。谐振波长的这种尖锐的反射峰对组成材料的折射率和几何参数(如光栅间距)非常敏感。这一特性使所提出的器件成为高灵敏度应变/压力/力传感的杰出传感器。倒置的光子晶体设计将使所提出的传感器适合于附着在感兴趣的结构的表面上，而加固效果可以忽略不计。二维导模共振将使多轴应变的同时测量成为可能，人们可以预见杨氏松弛函数和泊松函数的实时测量。这种传感器在软材料的粘弹性特性表征、从小变形到极大变形的多轴应变传感等各种具有挑战性的应用领域具有巨大的潜力。该项目将为研究生和本科生提供充足的研究机会。该项目还将对多样性产生巨大影响，因为德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校传统上拥有大量拉美裔传统学生。该团队将继续努力，通过克拉克暑期研究计划和科学、技术、工程和数学周六活动，积极接触未被充分代表的少数族裔学生。此外，该团队将积极参与德克萨斯大学达拉斯分校的纳米探索者计划，以接触有才华的高中生，促进北得克萨斯州地区的科学和工程。该项目被广泛认为是成功的，很大程度上是因为这些学生的研究成就导致他们获得了包括戈登·E·摩尔奖在内的12个主要奖项。该项目还将通过发展微/纳米制造、纳米光子学、建模和材料力学方面的新能力，为改善研究和教育基础设施做出贡献。该团队在与产业界发展合作研究伙伴关系以及以促进创新的方式实施项目方面有着广泛的记录。这个项目预计将对北得克萨斯州的研究和教育方面产生影响？半导体、国防、光学和纳米技术行业，通过开发具有高商业潜力的新技术，以及通过提供训练有素的工程师。

INTELLECTUAL MERIT A high-sensitivity ultra-wide strain sensing range two-dimensional photonic crystal strain sensor is proposed. The proposed device consists of two-dimensional array of high refractive index nanoscale pillars embedded in low refractive index polymer, leading to formation of a two-dimensional nano photonic crystal. When light is incident upon the photonic crystal, specific resonant wavelengths are reflected back due to the guided-mode resonance in the photonic crystal slab. Such sharp reflection peaks of the resonant wavelengths are extremely sensitive to the refractive indices of the constituent materials and geometrical parameters such as grating pitch. This characteristic makes the proposed device an outstanding sensor for high-sensitivity strain/pressure/force sensing. An inverted photonic crystal design will make the proposed sensor suitable for attaching to the surface of a structure of interest with negligible reinforcement effects. Two-dimensional guided-mode resonances will enable simultaneous multi-axial strain measurements and one can envision real-time measurement of Young's relaxation function and Poisson function. This sensor has a great potential to make a breakthrough in a variety of challenging applications such as viscoelastic property characterization of soft materials, multi-axial strain sensing from small deformations to extremely large deformations. BROADER IMPACTThe project will provide ample research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students. The program will also have a strong impact on diversity, as University of Texas at Dallas traditionally has large Hispanics heritage student population. The team will continue their efforts to actively reach out to underrepresented minority students through Clark summer research program and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Saturdays events. In addition, the team will actively participate the Nano Explorer program at UT Dallas to reach out talented high school students to promote science and engineering in the North Texas region. The program is widely recognized as a success, largely because of the research accomplishments of these students resulted in receiving 12 major awards including the Gordon E. Moore prize. This project will also make contributions to improving research and education infrastructures by developing new capabilities in micro/nano fabrication, nanophotonics, modeling, and mechanics of materials. The team has extensive record of developing cooperative research partnerships with industry and for carrying out programs in a way that fosters innovation. This project is anticipated to make impact in both research and educational aspects of North Texas? semiconductor, defense, optics, and nanotech industries, by developing new technologies with high commercial potential and also by supplying well-trained engineers.