Surface plasmon induced direct detection of long wavelength photons

Jinchao Tong, Wei Zhou, Yue Qu, Zhengji Xu, Zhiming Huang () and Dao Hua Zhang ()
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Jinchao Tong: Nanyang Technological University
Wei Zhou: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yue Qu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhengji Xu: Nanyang Technological University
Zhiming Huang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Dao Hua Zhang: Nanyang Technological University

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Millimeter and terahertz wave photodetectors have long been of great interest due to a wide range of applications, but they still face challenges in detection performance. Here, we propose a new strategy for the direct detection of millimeter and terahertz wave photons based on localized surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP)-induced non-equilibrium electrons in antenna-assisted subwavelength ohmic metal–semiconductor–metal (OMSM) structures. The subwavelength OMSM structure is used to convert the absorbed photons into localized SPPs, which then induce non-equilibrium electrons in the structure, while the antenna increases the number of photons coupled into the OMSM structure. When the structure is biased and illuminated, the unidirectional flow of the SPP-induced non-equilibrium electrons forms a photocurrent. The energy of the detected photons is determined by the structure rather than the band gap of the semiconductor. The detection scheme is confirmed by simulation and experimental results from the devices, made of gold and InSb, and a room temperature noise equivalent power (NEP) of 1.5 × 10−13 W Hz−1/2 is achieved.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01828-2

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