A New Detector for Measuring Polarized Light: Modeling, Characterization, and Testing for Significantly Improved Imaging Capabilities.

摘要题目：一种用于测量偏振光的新型探测器：建模、表征和测试，显著提高成像能力。摘要：当前偏振光光电探测器存在空间和/或时间分辨率低或系统误差的问题。这是由于需要多个探测器来充分表征偏振光，这通常需要在不同的时间测量。这限制了高分辨率偏振光成像；这一过程对天文学、生物医学成像和制药等领域的应用至关重要。这项资助下的研究将研究一种能够克服现有限制的偏振光探测器（偏振计）的开发，以及增加目前无法获得的新功能。这将通过利用聚合物半导体独特的光电特性来实现。多个半透明有机光电探测器将在单一空间位置进行处理，并将对多细胞堆栈进行优化，以开发具有先进功能的偏振计。这项拨款还提供了一个机会，开展拓展活动，使当地和全国的高中生对光学科学和工程感兴趣。技术摘要：本提案的目的是研究有机光伏组件作为固有偏振敏感探测器的使用。当前的偏振成像或检测方法依赖于光通过偏振敏感元件后的时间顺序或瞬时测量。这些通常是复杂的光学系统是必要的，因为目前没有能够在单一积分时间内在单个空间位置测量完整偏振状态的探测器技术。这导致了与现有技术相关的几个缺点；其中最主要的是时间和/或空间的错配，它会导致被测极化元素的误差。为了减轻这些错误，本提案详细介绍了一种新型的应变对准聚合物光电探测器，该探测器具有固有的偏振敏感性。目标是：(1)建立多层有机光伏（OPVs）的光电模型；(2)创建自由空间偏振计设计，使用多个半透明SOPD概念验证器件；(3)设计并制作了基于S-OPDs的多层单片偏振计的原理实验验证；(4)利用模型和概念创建校准程序；(5)探索多光谱和多斯托克斯探测器，包括它们的阵列和独特的几何结构。聚合物半导体通常具有平行于共轭主链的初级光学偶极子跃迁。因此，在一个方向上单轴对准聚合物会导致各向异性光学检测。该提案的智力价值是通过研究具有固有偏振灵敏度的对准聚合物基偏振计所带来的设备性能机会。优点在于：(1)优化OPV结构，偏置和电路，用于光检测过程；(2)深入了解定向和各向异性对能量转换的影响；(3)建立不同入射角下复杂多层各向异性有机光电探测器的先进光电建模；(4)使用opv作为偏振敏感光伏探测器的校准程序、算法和技术。提出的努力有可能在多维单片光学传感领域创造广阔的新研究领域。拟议的研究具有重大的商业潜力，有利于电信、遥感和生物医学成像领域。该项目还将为两名研究偏振学和器件制造的研究生提供支持。研究成果将通过出版物进行传播，并由两个私人机构向公众进行外联工作。例如，将制作在线教程，以获得偏振成像的兴奋，其中包括制作教程和软件开发，这些教程将把偏振成像放在业余爱好者和学生的手中。此外，pi将为北卡罗来纳州立大学举办的为期一周的高中夏令营做出贡献，以吸引学生从事工程职业。在这个营中，将创造和传播与自然界偏振光相关的外展模块。

Abstract Title: A New Detector for Measuring Polarized Light: Modeling, Characterization, andTesting for Significantly Improved Imaging Capabilities.Nontechnical Abstract: Current polarized light photodetectors suffer from low spatial and/or temporal resolution, or they experience systematic error. This is due to multiple detectors needed to fully characterize polarized light,which often require measurements at different times. This limits high-resolution polarized light imaging; a processthat is critical for applications ranging from astronomy to biomedical imaging to pharmaceuticals. The researchunder this grant will investigate the development of a polarized light detector (polarimeter) capable of overcomingexisting limitations, as well as adding new functionality not currently available. This will be achieved by takingadvantage of the unique optoelectronic properties of polymer semiconductors. Multiple semitransparent organic photodetectors will be processed at a single spatial location and the multicell stack will be optimized to developa polarimeter with advanced capabilities. This grant also provides an opportunity to develop outreach activities to interest high school students, both locally and nationally, in optical science and engineering.Technical Abstract: The objective of this proposal is to investigate the use of organic photovoltaic modules asinherently polarization sensitive detectors. Current methods of polarization imaging or detection rely on eithertime-sequential or instantaneous measurements taken after light transmits through polarization sensitive elements. These, often complex, optical systems are necessary because there are no current detector technologies capable of measuring the complete polarization state, at a single spatial location, within a single integration time. This results in several disadvantages associated with existing technologies; chief among them are temporal and/or spatial misregistration that causes errors in the sensed polarization elements. To alleviate these errors, thisproposal details a novel strain-aligned polymer-based photodetector that is inherently polarization sensitive.The objectives are to: (1) Create an optoelectronic model of multi-layer organic photovoltaics (OPVs); (2) Create a free-space polarimeter design, using multiple semi-transparent SOPD proof of concept devices; (3) Design and create an experimental proof of principle multi-layer monolithic polarimeter based on S-OPDs;(4) Leverage the model and concept to create calibration procedures; and (5) Explore multi-spectral andmulti-Stokes detectors, including their incorporation into arrays and unique geometrical structures.Polymer semiconductors commonly have a primary optical dipole transition that isparallel to the conjugated backbone. Thus, uniaxially aligning the polymer in one-direction results inanisotropic optical detection. The intellectual merit of this proposal is through the study of the deviceperformance opportunities enabled by aligned polymer based polarimeters with inherent polarizationsensitivity. Merit is found in: (1) The optimization of OPV structures, biasing, and circuitry for use inphotodetection processes; (2) Developing insight into how alignment and anisotropy influenceenergy conversion; (3) Establishing advanced optoelectronic modeling of complex multi-layeranisotropic organic photodetectors at various angles of incidence; and (4) Calibration procedures,algorithms, and techniques for using OPVs as polarization-sensitive photovoltaic detectors. Theproposed endeavor has the potential to create broad new areas of research in multi-dimensionalmonolithic optical sensing.The proposed research has significant commercial potential, benefiting the fieldsof telecommunications, remote sensing, and biomedical imaging. This project will also providesupport for two graduate student researchers in polarimetry and device fabrication. Dissemination ofresearch results will occur through publications and outreach efforts to the general public will also beconducted by both PIs. For instance, online tutorials to garner excitement for polarimetric imagingwill be produced that include fabrication tutorials and software development that would placepolarimetric imaging at the hands of amateur hobbyists and students. Additionally, the PIs willcontribute to a week-long high school summer camp held at NC State to attract students toengineering careers. In this camp, outreach modules related to polarized light in nature will becreated and disseminated.