Ultra-sensitive optical detector with high time resolution
First Claim
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1. An optical detector configured to detect at least one photon, comprising:
- a dielectric substrate and, on the substrate, at least one bolometric detection component configured to generate an electrical signal from energy of received photon(s);
at least one coupling component formed on the substrate, which is distinct from the bolometric detection component and comprises a metal component which is a coupling and guiding component, configured to generate a surface plasmon by interaction with the photon(s) and to guide the surface plasmon right up to the bolometric detection component, which then absorbs energy of the surface plasmon,wherein a thickness of the coupling component is greater than a thickness of the bolometric detection component, a width of the coupling component is greater than a width of the bolometric detection component, and the coupling component has an end adjacent to the bolometric detection component that tapers in a thickness direction and a width direction so that the wider and thicker coupling component is coupled to the bolometric detection component; and
a dielectric waveguide disposed on the metal component or formed between the metal component and the substrate, and said dielectric waveguide having a refractive index larger than that of the substrate.
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Abstract
An ultra-sensitive optical detector with large time resolution, using a surface plasmon. The optical detector is configured to detect at least one photon, and including a dielectric substrate, and on the substrate, at least one bolometric detection component, that generates an electrical signal from the energy of received photon(s). Additionally, at least one coupling component is formed on the substrate, distinct from the detection component and including a metal component, and generates a surface plasmon by interaction with the photon(s) and guiding the plasmon right up to the detection component, which then absorbs the energy of the surface plasmon.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An optical detector configured to detect at least one photon, comprising:
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a dielectric substrate and, on the substrate, at least one bolometric detection component configured to generate an electrical signal from energy of received photon(s); at least one coupling component formed on the substrate, which is distinct from the bolometric detection component and comprises a metal component which is a coupling and guiding component, configured to generate a surface plasmon by interaction with the photon(s) and to guide the surface plasmon right up to the bolometric detection component, which then absorbs energy of the surface plasmon, wherein a thickness of the coupling component is greater than a thickness of the bolometric detection component, a width of the coupling component is greater than a width of the bolometric detection component, and the coupling component has an end adjacent to the bolometric detection component that tapers in a thickness direction and a width direction so that the wider and thicker coupling component is coupled to the bolometric detection component; and a dielectric waveguide disposed on the metal component or formed between the metal component and the substrate, and said dielectric waveguide having a refractive index larger than that of the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An optical detector configured to detect at least one photon, comprising:
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a dielectric substrate and, on the substrate, at least one bolometric detection component configured to generate an electrical signal from energy of received photon(s); and at least one coupling component formed on the substrate, which is distinct from the bolometric detection component and comprises a metal component which is a coupling and guiding component, configured to generate a surface plasmon by interaction with the photon(s) and to guide the surface plasmon right up to the bolometric detection component, which then absorbs energy of the surface plasmon, wherein a thickness of the coupling component is greater than a thickness of the bolometric detection component, a width of the coupling component is greater than a width of the bolometric detection component, and the coupling component has an end adjacent to the bolometric detection component that tapers in a thickness direction and a width direction so that the wider and thicker coupling component is coupled to the bolometric detection component.
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Specification