Nanoantenna-enabled midwave infrared detection

Abstract

We show simulation results of the integration of a nanoantenna in close proximity to the active material of a photodetector. The nanoantenna allows a much thinner active layer to be used for the same amount of incident light absorption. This is accomplished through the nanoantenna coupling incoming radiation to surface plasmon modes bound to the metal surface. These modes are tightly bound and only require a thin layer of active material to allow complete absorption. Moreover, the nanoantenna impedance matches the incoming radiation to the surface waves without the need for an antireflection coating. While the nanoantenna concept may be applied to any active photodetector material, we chose to integrate the nanoantenna with an InAsSb photodiode. The addition of the nanoantenna to the photodiode requires changes to the geometry of the stack beyond the simple addition of the nanoantenna and thinning the active layer. We will show simulations of the electric fields in the nanoantenna and the active region and optimized designs to maximize absorption in the active layer as opposed to absorption in the metal of the nanoantenna. We will review the fabrication processes.