Nanostructure based Terahertz Detector Development

本研究的目的是研制基于表面等离子体激元的太赫兹探测器。该方法是将建模和实验相结合，从设计到测试基于AlGaAs/GaAs和GaSb/GaInSb材料体系的纳米等离子体太赫兹传感器。该项目将从测试掺杂薄膜上的SP共振吸收增强开始，研究工程金属纳米结构的尺寸、形状和分布的影响。最好的图案将在太赫兹探测器结构上进行测试。我们将比较具有纳米结构的单层和多层探测器的响应。这些想法也将在GaSb/GaInSb材料系统上进行测试，优化不同频率范围的太赫兹传感器。智能优点该项目旨在加深对输入辐射与金属纳米结构中的等离子激元的耦合，以及等离子体与探测器的耦合的理解，探索纳米级设备，并产生新的设计概念，从而产生下一代太赫兹传感器。这些探测器集成到不同操作环境的系统架构中，可用于国土安全、医疗诊断、国防、安全通信、环境和气体传感等各种应用。更广泛的影响该项目将为美国的科学和技术基础做出重大贡献，并为科学界提供年轻的科学家。博士后、研究生和本科生将从接触创新技术中受益匪浅，提供全面的教育。与P-16(教师、K-12学生、本科生)的参与，让教师接触研究，让他们将他们的热情转移到学生身上，在早期阶段激发学生对科学的好奇心。

The objective of this research is the development of surface plasmon based terahertz detectors. The approach is to integrate modeling and experiments, from design to testing of nano-plasmonic terahertz sensors based on AlGaAs/GaAs, and GaSb/GaInSb material systems. The project will start with testing the SP resonance enhancement of absorption on doped thin films, studying the effects of size, shape, and distribution of engineered metal nanostructures. The best patterns will be tested on the terahertz detector structures. The response of single and multilayer detectors with nanostructures will be compared. These ideas will also be tested on GaSb/GaInSb material systems, optimizing terahertz sensors for various frequency ranges. Intellectual MeritThis program aims to develop an understanding of coupling the incoming radiation to the plasmons in a metal nanostructure, and coupling the plasmons to detectors, exploring nanoscale devices and producing novel design concepts leading to the next generation of terahertz sensors. These detectors, integrated into system architectures of different operational environments, could be utilized for homeland security, medical diagnostics, defense, secure communication, environmental and gas sensing among various other applications. Broader ImpactThis project will make a significant contribution to the US science and technology base, and supply the scientific community with young scientists. Post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students will benefit immensely by the exposure to innovative techniques, providing a well-rounded education. The involvement with P-16 (teachers, K-12 students, undergrads), exposing teachers to research allows them to transfer their enthusiasm to students, arousing the student's curiosity in science at an early stage.