Science and Applications of Metameterials to Interceptor Sensors

In Phase I, Phoebus Optoelectronics will assess the feasibility of using the diverse, enabling light management capabilities of subwavelength-scale metal/dielectric materials called "Plasmonic/Photonic Hybrid Crystals," a recently-discovered subset of Z/NIM metamaterials, to develop higher-performance, lower-cost components for infrared sensing related to interceptor systems. Our hybrid crystals, single-layer surface structures, can be fabricated atop any substrate material using standard CMOS fabrication techniques. Designs for two unique polarimetric infrared focal plane arrays will be developed for the 7-12 micron wavelength regime. The designs will use combinations of optical and electromagnetic modes within subwavelength periodic structures that elicit the Z/NIM effects of anomalous transmission and super beaming. Our structures will readily achieve polarization extinction ratios of 500:1 (compared with 20:1 for current commercial devices), will minimize crosstalk, and will reduce fabrication costs through component integration.