Spectrally Adaptive Smart Sensors Based on Nanoscale Quantum Dots

这项工作的目的是开发中红外(3-14米)自适应传感器，用于大面积焦平面阵列。传统的红外传感器使用前视红外(FLIR)成像仪或傅立叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱仪。我们计划通过开发高性能的子带间量子点(QD)检测器并将其与自适应信号处理算法相结合来实现这一目标，以增强其性能、可调性和适应性。这些传感器的一个可能的应用是检测有毒的化学和生物制剂，其中大多数在这个波长范围内具有特征的吸收特征。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范围内连续调谐，用户可选择的带宽在0.5-2_m之间。我们希望进一步增加传感器的工作波长范围，并优化传感器的带宽。拟议活动的智能优点：尽管量子点探测器提供了广泛的光谱覆盖范围，但宽线宽不足以用于光谱传感应用。Co-Pis、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，同时保持量子点探测器的广泛光谱覆盖范围。除了作为一种使能技术能够虚拟地控制单个探测器的光谱响应之外，建议的后处理技术的另一个优点是它允许相同的FPA以前视红外模式、作为双色相机、作为MSI系统、甚至作为准HSI系统运行。目前，PIS的研究组有六名本科生，其中包括两名学生。此外，这一项目的结果将影响到PIS在光电子器件和光谱成像方面开发的两门新课程。该项目将在新墨西哥州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。拟议的研究还将为社会带来潜在的好处。例如，基于这里开发的自适应QD传感器技术的机载系统可以对可能的化学毒剂威胁提供早期检测和预警，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.