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

目的：本项目的目标是利用一种新型金属介质光学天线，在深亚波长吸收区实现高量子效率。器件体积的减小导致了噪声的降低，同时天线保持了高量子效率。这种组合导致即使在高温下也有很高的探测能力。智力优势：本研究为光学天线的操作提供了新的视角；特别是，利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探测性能的热电冷却LWIR探测器和成像仪将对许多科学和工程领域产生重大影响。更广泛的影响：本研究的部分成果将被纳入光子学课程和红外探测器高级课程。在这项研究中开发的开源仿真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。来自代表性不足和少数群体的本科生和研究生将被鼓励参与这项研究。西北大学的研究生教育联盟和教授计划（AGEP）将用于这方面。

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.