Abstract:
An ultrafast system for detecting incidence of a single photon is disclosed which includes a single photon avalanche detector having an inherent bandgap, a source of probe light configured to apply an incident beam onto the single photon avalanche detector, wherein the probe light is configured to apply energy less than the bandgap, and a probe beam detector, configured to receive a reflected probe beam from the single photon avalanche detector, wherein the probe beam detector is adapted to generate a signal signifying: i) incidence of a single photon from a control beam onto the single photon avalanche detector.
Abstract:
A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is provided. They system comprises a plurality of plasmonic metal nitride core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The plasmonic nanostructured elements form ohmic junctions at the surface of the semiconductor material or at close proximity with the semiconductor material elements. A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is also provided, comprising a plurality of plasmonic transparent conducting oxide core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The field enhancement, local temperature increase and energized hot carriers produced by nanostructures of these plasmonic material systems play enabling roles in various chemical processes. They induce, enhance, or mediate catalytic activities in the neighborhood when excited near the resonance frequencies.
Abstract:
Titanium nitride (TiN) nanofurnaces are fabricated in a method that involves anodization of a titanium (Ti) foil to form TiO2 nanocavities. After anodization, the TiO2 nanocavities are converted to TiN at 600° C. under ammonia flow. The resulting structure is an array of refractory (high-temperature stable) subwavelength TiN cylindrical cavities that operate as plasmonic nanofurnaces capable of reaching temperatures above 600° C. under moderate concentrated solar irradiation. The nanofurnaces show near-unity solar absorption in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges and a maximum thermoplasmonic solar-to-heat conversion efficiency of 68 percent.
Abstract:
Titanium nitride (TiN) nanofurnaces are fabricated in a method that involves anodization of a titanium (Ti) foil to form TiO2 nanocavities. After anodization, the TiO2 nanocavities are converted to TiN at 600° C. under ammonia flow. The resulting structure is an array of refractory (high-temperature stable) subwavelength TiN cylindrical cavities that operate as plasmonic nanofurnaces capable of reaching temperatures above 600° C. under moderate concentrated solar irradiation. The nanofurnaces show near-unity solar absorption in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges and a maximum thermoplasmonic solar-to-heat conversion efficiency of 68 percent.
Abstract:
A particle sensing system which includes a plurality of micro-lenses which focus light from an unfocused or loosely focused light source onto a corresponding plurality of focus regions on a surface containing plasmonic structures. The absorption of light by the plasmonic structures in the focus regions results in heat dissipation in the plasmonic structures and consequently increases surface temperature in the focus regions. When an electrical field is applied to a sample fluid in contact with the surface, multiple electrothermal flows are induced in the fluid which rapidly transport suspended particles to the focus regions on the surface. The particles can then be captured and/or sensed.
Abstract:
A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is provided. They system comprises a plurality of plasmonic metal nitride core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The plasmonic nanostructured elements form ohmic junctions at the surface of the semiconductor material or at close proximity with the semiconductor material elements. A nanostructured material system for efficient collection of photo-excited carriers is also provided, comprising a plurality of plasmonic transparent conducting oxide core material elements coupled to a plurality of semiconductor material elements. The field enhancement, local temperature increase and energized hot carriers produced by nanostructures of these plasmonic material systems play enabling roles in various chemical processes. They induce, enhance, or mediate catalytic activities in the neighborhood when excited near the resonance frequencies.
Abstract:
A solar-energy module is disclosed. The module includes a first electrode configured to receive incident visible light with a different refractive index than the medium through which light travels prior to becoming incident on the first electrode, the first electrode having a first metasurface arrangement formed through the first electrode, and configured to selectively i) match the optical impedances of the first electrode and the medium, and ii) cause light to be refracted substantially away from normal refraction angle, a photon-absorbing material coupled to the first electrode on a first surface of the photon-absorbing material and configured to receive refracted light through the first electrode and adapted to produce an electrical current in response to the refracted light, length of the photon absorbing material substantially larger than thickness of the photon-absorbing material, and a second electrode coupled to the photon-absorbing material on a second surface of the photon-absorbing material.
Abstract:
A method for producing a single photon source includes functionalizing a top surface of a plasmonic thin film to form a functionalized thin film, depositing a polymer on top of the functionalized thin film, lithographically patterning the polymer to form patterned functionalized sites, and targeting nanodiamond particles to the patterned functionalized sites.
Abstract:
A nanodevice provides for electric-field control of magnon-QSD interactions. The nanodevice includes a ferroelectric substrate, a ferromagnetic material disposed over the ferroelectric substrate, and a nanodiamond including an ensemble of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) spins, each NV magnetically interfacing with the ferromagnetic material. An electric field is measured by applying a voltage across the ferroelectric substrate and the ferromagnetic material, changing a magnon excitation spectrum of the ferromagnetic material with respect to an electron spin resonance frequency of the ensemble of NV spins, and measuring a relaxation rate of the ensemble of NV spins.
Abstract:
A thermoplasmonic device includes a titanium film and a plurality of titanium nitride tube elements disposed on the titanium film. Each of the titanium nitride tube elements includes an open top and a titanium nitride bottom. Each of the titanium nitride tube elements has titanium nitride tubular middle portion that extends from the open top to the titanium nitride bottom.