Plasmonic Grating Resonators for Higher-Temperature EO/IR Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors require substantial cooling to achieve usable sensitivity, leading to increased size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C), and complex cooling systems that limit operational lifetimes, due to their limited cutoff wavelength.
Innovation Solution
The use of plasmonic resonators, specifically plasmonic gratings with convex polyhedrons separated by valleys, is employed to extend the practical cutoff wavelength of EO/IR sensors by concentrating incident electromagnetic radiation and leveraging absorption tails in the absorber material, reducing cooling requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the cutoff wavelength of EO/IR sensors is extended to detect longer wavelengths, then the sensor sensitivity and operational range are improved, but the operating temperature must be reduced which increases cooling system complexity and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the detector material by introducing plasmonic resonators with specific geometries (convex polyhedrons with mesa shapes and sloped sides) and dimensions. These structural parameter changes enable the detector to achieve enhanced sensitivity at longer wavelengths while maintaining higher operating temperatures, thereby reducing cooling system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a plasmonic dimension to the traditional detector structure by incorporating resonators that interact with electromagnetic fields in unique ways. These three-dimensional plasmonic structures with sloped sides create additional field confinement and enhancement mechanisms that extend wavelength response without proportionally increasing cooling requirements
2Reliability
If the operating temperature of EO/IR sensors is reduced to achieve longer cutoff wavelengths, then the leakage current is reduced improving sensitivity, but the size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the structural parameters of the detector material through plasmonic resonator integration, the patent achieves improved sensitivity at higher operating temperatures. This parameter modification reduces the need for heavy cooling infrastructure, thereby reducing overall sensor weight while maintaining reliability
3Reliability
If the operating temperature of EO/IR sensors is reduced to extend cutoff wavelength, then the leakage current is reduced, but the operational lifetime is limited due to complex cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in the detector structure through plasmonic resonators to achieve extended cutoff wavelength and reduced leakage current at higher operating temperatures. This eliminates the need for complex cooling systems that limit operational lifetime, thereby improving the duration and reliability of sensor operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for higher operating temperatures with reduced dark currents, improving sensor sensitivity and manufacturability while extending the operational range of EO/IR sensors to longer wavelengths, thus reducing the need for complex cooling systems and enhancing reliability.
Implementation Method 1
plasmonic resonators, specifically plasmonic gratings with convex polyhedrons separated by valleys, is employed to extend the practical cutoff wavelength of EO/IR sensors by concentrating incident electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
leveraging absorption tails in the absorber material
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a substrate. The system also includes a detector array disposed over the substrate, where the detector array includes multiple detector pixels. The system further includes multiple plasmonic gratings disposed over top surfaces of the detector pixels, where each plasmonic grating includes multiple convex polyhedrons separated by valleys. Each detector pixel may have a mesa shape, and the convex polyhedrons of the plasmonic gratings may have a smaller size than the mesa shape of the detector pixels. A dimension across a base of each convex polyhedron of the plasmonic gratings may be selected based on a desired resonance wavelength of the plasmonic gratings.