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Enhanced Sensitivity of Sub-THz Thermomechanical Bolometers Exploiting Vibrational Nonlinearity
L Alborghetti1, B Bertoni1,2, L Vicarelli1
1Department of Physics, University of Pisa, Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, 56127 Pisa, Italy.
ACS Photonics
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel method to enhance signal detection sensitivity without needing high Q-factors. This approach uses interference and nonlinearity to improve detector performance, achieving a noise equivalent power of ~30 pW/√Hz.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Detecting weak signals often relies on resonant modes with high Q-factors, which can be difficult to fabricate.
- Maximizing Q-factors presents fabrication and design challenges in sensitive detectors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an alternative strategy for sharpening spectral features using interference and nonlinearity.
- To reduce detector noise equivalent power (NEP) without solely relying on high Q-factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized interference and nonlinearity to engineer spectral features.
- Maintained a constant dissipation rate while enhancing spectral sharpness.
- Tested the strategy using far-infrared thermomechanical detectors.
Main Results:
- Achieved signal transduction along an engineered response curve slope.
- Demonstrated a reduced noise equivalent power (NEP) of approximately 30 pW/√Hz for electrical read-out.
- Optimized an absorbing layer for sub-terahertz detectors.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method offers an alternative to high Q-factors for sensitive signal detection.
- Interference and nonlinearity can effectively reduce NEP in detectors.
- The strategy is viable for developing high-performance sub-terahertz detectors.
