Plasmo-thermomechanical radiation detector with on-chip optical readout

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Nanotechnology
• Mechanical Engineering

Background:

• Plasmonic nanostructures concentrate light, enabling strong light-matter interactions.
• Beyond electromagnetic effects, nanoscale plasmonics offer unique mechanical properties for novel applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report efficient coupling between optical absorption and mechanical deformation at the nanoscale.
• To develop plasmonically enhanced fishbone nanowires for light-actuated mechanical responses.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing tailorable absorbers to convert free-space radiation energy into heat.
• Thermally actuating suspended fishbone nanowires via absorbed energy.
• Sensing nanowire deformation using evanescent fields from a waveguide.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated efficient optical absorption (>30%) at a 660 nm wavelength.
• Achieved sensitive detection of optical power down to nW/√Hz.
• Operated the device effectively in an uncooled environment.

Conclusions:

• Plasmonically enhanced fishbone nanowires enable efficient light-to-mechanical energy conversion.
• This technology holds potential for highly sensitive optical detectors operating without active cooling.