Collaborative Research: Wavelength-Scalable, Room-Temperature Mid-Infrared Photodetectors Based on Multiphoton-Assisted Tunneling

合作研究：基于多光子辅助隧道的波长可扩展、室温中红外光电探测器

• 批准号: 2210861
• 负责人: Zhixian Zhou
• 金额: $ 15.03万
• 依托单位: Wayne State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-09-15 至 2025-08-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2210861&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Wavelength; Scalable; Room

Title: Collaborative Research: Wavelength-Scalable, Room-Temperature Mid-Infrared Photodetectors Based on Multiphoton-Assisted TunnelingDetection of mid-infrared (MIR) electromagnetic radiation is of central importance in both fundamental sciences and applied technologies. It finds widespread applications ranging from free-space communication, night vision, nondestructive testing, environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, spectroscopy, and astronomy research, to the sensitive detection of biomolecular and chemical signals. However, current MIR photodetectors based on narrow-bandgap semiconductors typically suffer from several inherent drawbacks, such as slow response time, high cost, low sensitivity, and most critically, the need for cryogenic cooling that practically prohibits them from portable applications. This collaborative research aims to study a new MIR detection mechanism based on a quantum mechanical phenomenon referred to as multiphoton-assisted tunneling in nanoscale metal–insulator–metal structures toward the development of new plasmo-electronic MIR detectors, which enable ultrafast, efficient, cooling-free, and wavelength-scalable photodetection. This interdisciplinary research interfacing quantum mechanics, photonics, electromagnetics, nanotechnologies, and nanomaterials will provide graduate, undergraduate, and K-12 students with unique multidisciplinary research experiences. The project tightly integrates research, education and community outreach efforts through a series of activities, such as Women in Engineering Program and Early Research Scholars Program, to increase the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in the STEM fields.This collaborative research aims to develop fundamentally new plasmo-electronic nanodevices, which can enrich the functional portfolio of plasmonics in the quantum domain and can lead to ultrafast, highly-efficient, room-temperature, and wavelength-scalable mid-infrared (MIR) photodetectors. We will use innovative nanophotonic and nanomaterial techniques to significantly improve the photon-to-electron conversion efficiency of the multiphoton-assisted tunneling (MPAT) processes occurring in metal–insulator–metal (MIM) plasmonic heterostructures. We will first theoretically model, experimentally characterize, and fully elucidate the optical rectification effect associated with MPAT in the MIR and long-wavelength regimes. Then, we will introduce (1) novel optical nanoantennas and MIM-based optical metasurfaces to enhance the coupling efficiency and localization of light into the MIM tunneling nanojunction, and (2) a new class of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal oxides (TMO) serving as controllable, ultrahigh-quality atomic-scale tunnel barriers. The strong optical nonlinearities induced by tunneling plasmons and the plasmonically-enhanced field localization in these plasmo-electronic MIR photodetectors, consisting of optical nanoantenna or metasurface structures loaded with the 2D TMO tunnel barrier, may enable the state-of-the-art photoconversion quantum yields. The knowledge gained from this research will help establish a new paradigm for detecting and harvesting infrared radiation using plasmonic devices operated in the nonlinear quantum regime, and will shed light on other plasmonically-enhanced MPAT processes, such as high harmonic generation, nonlinear wave mixing, and two-photon absorption, in the infrared regime.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

标题：协作研究：基于多光子辅助的中红外（MIR）电气辐射的可波长，室温的中红外光电探测器在基本科学和应用技术中都是至关重要的。它发现宽度应用的应用程序从自由空间通信，夜视，无损测试，环境监测，医学诊断，光谱和天文学研究到生物分子和化学信号的敏感检测。但是，基于窄带半导体的当前miR光电探测器通常会遭受几种继承缺点，例如缓慢的响应时间，高成本，低灵敏度以及最关键的是，对低温冷却的需求实际上禁止它们无法便携式应用。这项合作研究旨在研究一种基于量子机械现象的新的miR检测机制，该现象被称为纳米级金属 - 绝缘体 - 金属结构中的多光辅助隧道，用于开发新的等离子体电动miR探测器，从而使超级，有效的，有效的，无效的，无效的光效率和波动型光效率。这项跨学科的研究将量子力学，光子学，电子学，纳米技术和纳米材料接触，将为研究生，本科生和K-12学生提供独特的多学科研究经验。 The project tightly integrates research, education and community outreach efforts through a series of activities, such as Women in Engineering Program and Early Research Scholars Program, to increase the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in the STEM fields.This collaborative research aims to develop fundamentally new plasmo-electronic nanodevices, which can enrich the functional portfolio of plasmonics in the quantum domain and can lead to Ultrafast, highly effective,室温和波长量表中红外（mir）光电探测器。我们将使用创新的纳米光子和纳米材料技术来显着提高在金属 - 隔离剂金属（MIM）浆膜结构中发生的多光子辅助隧道（MPAT）过程的照片之间的转换效率。我们将首先在理论上进行模型，实验表征并完全阐明与MIR和长波长方案中与MPAT相关的光学整流效应。 Then, we will introduce (1) novel optical nanoantennas and MIM-based optical metal surfaces to enhance the coupling efficiency and localization of light into the MIM tunneling nanojunction, and (2) a new class of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal oxides (TMO) serving as controlled, ultrahigh-quality atomic-scale tunnel barriers.隧穿等离子体引起的强光学非线性以及这些等离子电动的miR光电电极的塑料增强的现场定位，由光学纳米annanoantenna或带有2D TMO隧道屏障的载荷结构组成，可实现正式的现有光电量相关量子量的量子。从这项研究中获得的知识将有助于建立一个新的范式，用于使用在非线性量子制度中运行的等离子设备来检测和收获红外辐射，并将阐明其他较高的MPAT过程，例如高谐波产生，非线性波浪混合以及在未来的统计局中，曾经有过统计的统计局，并曾经有过诉讼。通过基金会的智力优点和更广泛的影响评估标准通过评估来支持。