A multi-spectral and polarization-selective surface-plasmon resonant mid-infrared detector

TL;DR

This paper presents a multi-spectral, polarization-sensitive mid-infrared detector using surface-plasmon resonant elements, achieving enhanced responsivity and easy integration with existing imaging systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel surface-plasmonic resonant design for mid-infrared detectors that is tunable, polarization-sensitive, and compatible with current fabrication processes.

Findings

Responsivity enhanced up to 5 times compared to control

Tailorable frequency response and polarization selectivity

Compatible with existing focal plane array processing

Abstract

We demonstrate a multi-spectral polarization sensitive mid-infrared dots-in-a-well (DWELL) photodetector utilizing surface-plasmonic resonant elements, with tailorable frequency response and polarization selectivity. The resonant responsivity of the surface-plasmon detector shows an enhancement of up to 5 times that of an unpatterned control detector. As the plasmonic resonator involves only surface patterning of the top metal contact, this method is independent of light-absorbing material and can easily be integrated with current focal plane array processing for imaging applications.