Photonic-jet Coupled Optical Antenna for Near Room Temperature Infrared Detectors and Imagers

目的：本计画的目标是利用一种新型的金属-介电质光学天线，在深次波长吸收区达到高量子效率。器件体积的减小导致噪声降低，而天线保持高量子效率。这种组合导致即使在升高的温度下也具有高探测率。智力优势：这项研究为光学天线的操作提供了新的见解;特别是，使用金属介电结构来增强光与深亚波长结构的有效耦合。实现具有背景限制红外光电探测性能的热电冷却长波红外探测器和成像器可以显著影响许多科学和工程领域。更广泛的影响：这项研究的一些成果将被纳入光子学课程和红外探测器的高级课程。在这项研究工作中开发的开源模拟工具将通过文献公开提供，并与该领域的其他研究人员共享。将鼓励来自代表性不足和少数群体的本科生和研究生参加这项研究。在这方面，将利用西北大学的研究生教育联盟和教授方案。

Objective: The objective of this program is to achieve high quantum efficiency in a deep sub-wavelength absorbing region, using a novel metallo-dielectric optical antenna. The reduced volume of the device leads to a reduced noise, while the antenna maintains high quantum efficiency. This combination leads to a high detectivity even at elevated temperatures. Intellectual Merit: The proposed research provides a new insight into the operation of optical antennas; in particular, the use of metallo-dielectric structures to enhance efficient coupling of light to deep sub-wavelength structures. Realization of thermoelectric-cooled LWIR detectors and imagers with background limited infrared photo-detection performance could significantly impact many fields of science and engineering. Broader Impact: Some of the results of this research will be incorporated in the photonics courses and an advanced course on Infrared Detectors. Open-source simulation tools that will be developed in this research effort will become publicly available through the literature and shared with other researchers in this field. Undergraduate and graduate students from under-represented and minority groups will be encouraged to take part in this research. Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professorate (AGEP) program at Northwestern University would be used in this regard.