Self Assembled Nanocluster Based Photo Detectors

The Navy Phase II SBIR program would transition self-assembled nanocluster based photodetectors from their current concept and prototype stage to standardized large area packaged products. During this program, NanoSonic has proved the technical feasibility of our initial scientific hypothesis. NanoSonic and our Virginia Tech partners have demonstrated that: 1) metal nanoparticles can be used to improve the conversion efficiency of photo detectors, and 2) more efficiency enhancement can be achieved by engineering the frequency selective surface (FSS) antenna structures. During this Navy Phase II program, NanoSonic will focus on improving the efficiency of the photo detectors via the following four areas: 1) higher light collection efficiency, 2) higher charge separation efficiency, 3) higher charge transportation efficiency and 4) broadband tandem configuration. NanoSonic will optimize the nanocluster based photodetector design by integrating a frequency selective surface (FSS) structure with a semiconductor active layer to achieve high efficiency. Quantum dot (QD) and metal nanoparticle precursors that can be used to achieve SPR enhancement in photo detection will be designed and synthesized. NanoSonic will work with support from the Virginia Tech microelectronics laboratory to fabricate and characterize optical antenna devices on the nanometer scale. We will further improve the nanocluster photodetector through active layer optimizations including silicon on oxide (SOI) nanomembranes and QD heterojunctions. Broader system integration will be investigated including using the use of Metal RubberTM, HybridsilTM and other nanocomposites as interconnects and spatially-patterned electromagnetic metamaterials. NanoSonic would work with partners to analyze Phase II results and develop a Phase III product manufacturing, sales and distribution plan.