Integrated resonators for multicolor infrared photodetection – INTREPID

The study of optical properties of metal nanostructures has been significantly increasing during the last decade, a field known as plasmonics, motivated by interesting properties such optical filtering and concentration of light. The development of this expertise is especially relevant to infrared imaging, because it renders possible the integration of optical functions in the focal plane. The expected gains for the systems are on the compactness (filtering function integrated to the detector), cost (increase in operating temperature) and performance (lower dark current, and thus potentially the cost of cooling). The applications are numerous, such as non destructive testing, aerospace, security and medical.

The objective of the INTREPID project is to demonstrate a multicolor infrared imaging array, based on the use of plasmon modes. This demonstration will be undertaken in CdHgTe technology, and in emerging technology based on III-V superlattices.

This project brings together academic and industry players of international stature in cooled infrared imaging. Sofradir, industrial in the market of cooled infrared imaging, is a partner of this project. Both considered technologies are developed at the national level, in a joint laboratory Sofradir-LETI for CdHgTe, and CNRS / IES for III-V superlattices technology. Expertise in plasmonics for the photo-detection is provided by the CNRS / LPN, author of pioneering work in the field, and LETI. Finally, ONERA is responsible for characterizing the infrared cooled imaging systems.