Publications Details

Nanoantenna-enhanced absorption in thin infrared detector layers

Sinclair, Michael B.; Warne, Larry K.; Campione, Salvatore; Goldflam, Michael G.; Peters, D.W.

The noise performance of infrared detectors can be improved through utilization of thinner detector layers which reduces thermal and generation-recombination noise currents. However, some infrared detector materials suffer from weak optical absorption and thinning the detector layer can lead to incomplete absorption of the incoming infrared photons which reduces detector quantum efficiency. Here, we show how subwavelength metallic nanoantennas can be used to boost the efficiency of photon absorption for thin detector layers, thereby achieving overall enhanced detector performance.