Thermoelectric Sensor Coupled Yagi–Uda Nanoantenna for Infrared Detection

Waleed Tariq Sethi,Hamsakutty Vettikalladi,Olivier De Sagazan,Mohamed Himdi,Saleh A Alshebeili

doi:10.3390/electronics10050527

Abstract

We present an experimental demonstration of a thermoelectric sensor coupled with a nanoantenna as an alternative option for detecting infrared energy. Two nanoantenna design (single element and an array) variations based on Yagi-Uda technology and one separate nano-thermoelectric junction array were fabricated and tested. The nanoantennas were tuned to operate and respond at a center wavelength of 1550 nm (193.5 THz) optical C-band window, but they also exhibited a resonance response when excited by lasers of various wavelengths (650 nm and 940 nm). The radiation-induced electric currents in the nanoantennas, coupled with a nano-thermoelectric sensor, produced a potential difference as per the Seebeck effect. With respect to the uniform thermal measurements of the reference nanoantenna, the experiments confirmed the detection properties of the proposed nanoantennas; the single element detected a peak percentage voltage hike of 28%, whereas the array detected a peak percentage voltage hike of 80% at the center wavelength. Compared to state-of-the-art thermoelectric designs, this was the first time that such peak percentage voltages were experimentally reported following a planar design based on the Seebeck principle.

Highlights

Infrared radiation is emitted by all objects that have an absolute temperature above 0 K
As well as man-made machines [2,3], emit some sort of heat, it has become of the utmost importance to design devices that can detect these various types (SWIR, medium-wave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR)) of radiation so that they are viable for various commercial and military infrared detection applications; whereas the longer wavelengths are better suited to applications requiring higher sensitivity, the latter is more attractive for higher contrast imaging purposes [4]
We experimentally demonstrated the effect of thermal infrared heating on nanoantennas

Summary

Introduction

Infrared radiation is emitted by all objects that have an absolute temperature above 0 K. The temperature and emissivity of the object characterize the infrared radiation, which can be detected in wavelengths ranging from 0.76 μm (the red edge of the visible range) to 1000 μm (beginning of the microwave range) [1]. These wavelengths have been divided into three categories, namely short-wave infrared (SWIR), medium-wave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR). As for solar energy harvesting, various design techniques associated with geometry are available in the literature. It has been reported that the proposed dipole antenna designed for energy harvesting achieved 26% efficiency at a high impedance reosfo2n5a0nΩcewanhaelnysriessoonf athteednaatn5o0a0ntnemnnfaosr isnilovredrecrotnodsutcutdinygthmearteefrriaaclt[i1v1e].inLdikeexwviasrei,atthioenbsoowf thtieemanetdeinunma [h9a]s. 3 of 13 3 of 13 groups have considered this technique and there exists a significant opportunity to maxitgmmiroionizzueseptahstshehteharervesereusmucltoolstnesilsneiindctteertrreimcerdmcsotoshnfoivdsfeetrdetteecechtrtesnicnaitqginnudhgeiighanhnitgeedrhgtrevharoetlvertaeotghleteeaxsmgi.setWsws.eaiWtushiteginlnuiazitnefiiolcigazaonenltdtge–ononplndipac–kodnereitlcusckinogeimnltyscbotitnohmaambttiioafnonxalis--laoswthtehremYoaeglei–ctUridcacopnrivnecritpelres. aEnledctinroteng-braetaemthleitmhowgritahpnhayn(oEaBnLte) ntencahdneiqsuigenssatrheaut sfeodllotowftahberYiacgait–eUthdea pprroinpcoipseled. nEalencotraonnte-bnenaamdleisthigongsr.aTphhey o(EpBerLa)titnecghpnriqinuceisplaereisutsheedstaomfaebariscathteatthoef tphreopSoeseebdecnkanefofaenctt,ewnnhaerdeeisnigwnes.eTxhcieteoptheerantianngopanritnecninpaledisestihgenssawmiethasvtahraiotuosf tlahseeSrewebaevcekleefnfegctth, sw(h6e5r0einnmw, e94e0xcnimte,tahnedna1n55o0anntmen)ntahadtedsiegtnecstwviothltavgaersiopursoldausecredwbavyetlheengptrhosp(e6r5t0iensmof, i9n4t0ernsemc,tianngdm1a5t5e0rianlms. )Ctohmatpdareetdecttovtohletasgtaetseporfotdhuecaerdt, btoyotuhre kpnroowpelertdigese,otfhiisntisertsheectfiinrsgt tmimateertihaalst.pCeoamk ppaerrecdentotatghee vstoaltteagoef thhiekeardt,ettoecotuiornknisowatlteadingeed, thwihs eisnthuetilfiizrsint tgiminefrtahraetdpeeankepregryce[n2t6a–g2e9v].oltage hike detection is attained when utilizing infrared energy [26,27,28,29]

Antenna Designs and Simulation

Fabrication Methodology

Findings

Conclusions