Nanowires: A new platform for semiconductor manufacturing with an emphasis in multi-spetral infrared cameras

本提案将发展一种波长选择性红外光探测的新方法。我们的方法基于III-V型半导体纳米线的有序阵列，有望产生一种高性能、大面积、低成本的碲化汞镉中波红外探测器和相关探测器技术的替代品。这些设备在制造业、天文学、汽车安全、监视、搜索和救援以及国防应用中都很有意义。我们已经在模拟和实验中证明，纳米线只在几微米的纳米线长度上集中和吸收光，从而用相对较少的材料实现高效的光探测。这种吸收显示出波长选择性，可以通过调整纳米线直径在可见光和红外波长上连续调谐，由于新的生长方法，我们对其进行了非常严格的控制。这种行为导致了“多光谱”成像的新概念，使用与现有硅技术兼容的有序纳米线阵列。这种多光谱能力对于先进的红外成像系统来说是非常理想的，它具有增强的目标识别和识别能力，改进的绝对温度和物体独特特征的识别能力，以及进一步提高灵敏度的先进颜色处理算法。我们已经与领先的数字成像公司Teledyne Dalsa合作，完成了将纳米线与标准硅技术集成以及完善纳米线本身性能的大部分基础工作。然而，多光谱能力是申请人最近才发现的新效应，我们将继续从基础研究发展到设备集成。Teledyne Dalsa公司的这项技术的开发和商业化将为加拿大带来显著的经济效益，因为该技术广泛应用于商业、军事和工业领域的敏感且具有成本效益的多光谱红外探测器和相机。

This proposal will develop a novel means of wavelength-selective infrared photodetection. Our method, based on ordered arrays of III-V semiconductor nanowires, is expected to yield a high-performance, large-area, low-cost alternative to mercury cadmium telluride mid-wavelength infrared detectors and related detector technologies. These devices are of interest in manufacturing, astronomy, automotive safety, surveillance, search and rescue and defense applications. We have demonstrated in simulations and experiment that nanowires concentrate and absorb light in only a few microns of nanowire length, enabling highly efficient photodetection with relatively little material. This absorption shows wavelength selectivity that can be tuned continuously across the visible and infrared wavelengths by adjusting the nanowire diameter, which we have very tight control over owing to novel growth methods. This behavior leads to a new concept for "multi-spectral" imaging using ordered nanowire arrays compatible with existing silicon technology. This multi-spectral capability is highly desirable for advanced infrared imaging systems with enhanced target discrimination and identification, improved discrimination of absolute temperature and unique signatures of objects, and advanced color processing algorithms for further improved sensitivity. Much of the groundwork for integrating nanowires with standard silicon technology, and perfecting the properties of the nanowires themselves, has already been carried out by us in collaboration with a leading digital imaging company, Teledyne Dalsa. The multi-spectral capability, however, is a new effect only recently discovered by the applicant, and we will pursue its development from fundamental studies to device integration. The development and commercialization of this technology by Teledyne Dalsa will lead to significant economic benefits to Canada due to the wide range of commercial, military, and industrial receptors of sensitive and cost-effective multi-spectral infrared photodetectors and cameras.