Nanoresonant signal boosters for carbon nanotube based infrared detectors

Nanotechnology. 2009 May 6;20(18):185201. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/20/18/185201. Epub 2009 Apr 14.

Abstract

We report the development of a sensitive carbon nanotube (CNT) infrared detector whose signals are boosted by nanoantenna-like features. This assembly is fabricated using nanoassembly of CNTs and a standard photolithographic process, together with nanoantenna-like features that are designed to create a resonance structure necessary to boost the electric field intensity at the CNT sensor. A novel approach is employed to find the near-field effect of the antenna. As a result, these effects are verified and demonstrated experimentally in this paper. The first experimental demonstration of a practical infrared device with nanoantenna-like structures is reported; it shows that the photocurrent is increased by an order of magnitude. The proposed fabrication and design process enables a ready integration of resonance structures into the manufacture of infrared devices, and opens the possibility of developing high fidelity infrared sensors with wide sensing range.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemistry / instrumentation
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Infrared Rays
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / radiation effects*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Photochemistry / instrumentation
  • Photometry / instrumentation*
  • Transducers*

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon