ACT/SGER: Novel Photonic Crystal Enhanced Infrared Sensors and Sources

该SGER-ACT项目（见下文）将致力于设计和开发新一代高灵敏度红外传感器，其关键部件是可调谐高功率窄带红外源。红外光源是基于二维金属光子晶格中表面等离子体的尖锐吸收特性，该晶格位于碳化硅衬底上。使用碳化硅代替硅应该允许更高的工作温度，更大的光输出，并提高设备灵敏度。光学晶格的性能将在爱荷华州立大学进行模拟。这些模拟将允许探索许多结构设计，包括晶格对称性的变化。除了解决一些基础物理（等离子体热发射）和光学问题（光子晶体的作用），这项工作将指导测试设备的制造，由工业合作伙伴离子光学（沃尔瑟姆，马萨诸塞州）制造。拟议的工作旨在开发敏感、准确、可现场部署的轻型传感器，用于探测反恐战争中具有国家重要性的几种化学战剂。该项目还将通过培养研究生和博士后科学家来加强国家安全的方法，对整合研究和教育产生重大影响。美国国家科学基金会和情报界共同支持这一奖项。它是数学和物理科学理事会打击恐怖主义方法（ACT）计划的一部分。该计划支持基础研究和劳动力发展的新概念，具有为国家安全做出贡献的潜力

This SGER-ACT project (see below) will pursue design and development of a new generation of high-sensitivity infrared sensors whose critical component is a tunable high power narrow-band infrared source. The infrared source is based on the sharp absorption features of surface plasmons in a two-dimensional metallic photonic lattice, which resides on a silicon carbide substrate. Use of silicon carbide instead of silicon should allow higher operating temperatures, greater optical output, and increased device sensitivity. The performance of the optical lattice will be simulated at Iowa State University. These simulations will permit exploration of many structural designs including change of lattice symmetry. In addition to addressing a number of fundamental physics (plasmon thermal emission) and optics issues (role of the photonic crystal), this work will guide the fabrication of test devices, to be fabricated by the industrial partner, Ion Optics (Waltham, MA). The proposed work aims to develop sensitive, accurate, field-deployable, lightweight sensors for detection of several chemical warfare agents of national importance in the battle against terrorism. The project will also have a strong impact on integrating research and education through training of graduate students and postdoctoral scientists in methods for enhancing national security. The NSF and the Intelligence Community support this award jointly. It is made as part of the Approaches to Combat Terrorism (ACT) Program in the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences. This program supports new concepts in basic research and workforce development with the potential to contribute to national security