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Surface plasmon enhanced tunneling diode detection of THz radiation

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
95016 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
F09B-T33-0123 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
AF 09TT33 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
ITN Energy Systems, Inc.
8130 Shaffer Parkway  Littleton , CO 80127-4107
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: Surface plasmon enhanced tunneling diode detection of THz radiation
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA9550-10-C-0120
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

This Small Business Technology Transfer Research phase I program will develop a new class of uncooled THz detectors for the 1-10THz band with a novel design using surface plasmon resonant cavities with integrated metal-insulator-metal tunneling diodes as the detecting element. Tunneling diodes provide ultrafast broadband response, potentially into the visible (300THz), but demonstrated performance using antenna coupled diodes has been disappointing for a variety of reasons. The proposed approach solves all of the problems limiting antenna coupled detectors. In particular, the design allows for large, tunable collection area to optimize the tradeoff between signal/noise ratio and image resolution, high efficiency power coupling into the tunneling diode detector, and wavelength scaling through geometric parameters with a single detector technology. This program will examine the fundamental mechanisms involved through closely coupled finite element modeling, nanofabrication of test structures operating at 28THz, and detailed optical characterization. Detailed designs for the 1-10THz band will be developed through modeling. BENEFIT: THz imaging has great potential for applications ranging from biological imaging, security screening, and material characterization. The lack of highly sensitive, low power, low cost detectors that can be fabricated into arrays has prevented the introduction of commercial imagers. This program will develop uncooled detector elements for advanced THz focal plane array imagers, greatly expanding the commercial market.

Principal Investigator:

Russell Hollingsworth
Senior scientist
3032855154
rhollingsworth@itnes.com

Business Contact:

Debra Werges
Contract administration
3032855129
dwerges@itnes.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

ITN Energy Systems, Inc.
8130 Shaffer Parkway Littleton, CO 80127

EIN/Tax ID: 841582609
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
Colorado School of Mines
1500 Illinois St.
Golden, CO 80401
Contact: Ralph Brown
Contact Phone: 3032733538