Metal-semiconductor metamaterial for IR detection beyond the conventional limit

Research question

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane absorb infrared light at very specific wavelengths, creating a unique fingerprint in the infrared spectrum (IR). Detection of light at these wavelengths can be used to monitor the emission of these important greenhouse gases and is key to ensuring that we keep on a path to a carbon-neutral society. However, conventional IR detectors can only work if cooled down lower than -100 °C. In this project we explore how the combination of nanoscale antennas and semiconductor nanowires can be used to break the conventional limit of IR detector performance and may allow for state-of-the-art detection sensitivity even at room-temperature.

Sustainability aspects

Monitor greenhouse gases with high accuracy is very important to maintain control of contaminating emissions and mitigate their effects.  We will use a method that avoids heavy metals completely and reduces the amount of rare materials by a thousandfold.