Experimental realization of a metamaterial detector focal plane array

Area of Science:

• Metamaterials
• Microwave Engineering
• Detector Technology

Background:

• Gigahertz (GHz) radiation detection requires sensitive, narrow-band systems.
• Existing technologies often lack room-temperature operation or high spatial resolution.
• Metamaterials offer unique electromagnetic properties for novel detector designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a metamaterial absorber detector array for room-temperature, narrow-band detection of GHz radiation in the S-band (2-4 GHz).
• To demonstrate a focal plane array architecture using modified metamaterial unit cells as isolated detector pixels.
• To characterize the sensitivity and angular dependence of the developed detector array.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a metamaterial absorber detector array using a commercial printed circuit board process.
• Modification of metamaterial absorber geometry to enable isolated detector pixels within a focal plane array.
• Integration of dedicated microwave receiver chains for each pixel to form a hybrid device.

Main Results:

• Achieved room-temperature, narrow-band detection of GHz radiation in the S-band.
• Demonstrated a subwavelength pixel with a detected sensitivity of -77 dBm (27 nW/m^2 power density).
• Observed pixel-to-pixel coupling interference below -14 dB at 2.5 GHz.

Conclusions:

• The developed metamaterial absorber detector array enables efficient, room-temperature detection of GHz radiation.
• The modified metamaterial geometry successfully creates isolated detector pixels for focal plane array applications.
• The system shows promising sensitivity and low interference for S-band microwave detection.