Tunable-wavelength room-temperature infrared detection based on conducting polymer plasmonic nanocavity devices

Infrared light (IR) detection at room temperature is a key desire for researchers working in space, chemistry, and biomedical fields.

Current IR detectors normally require bulky cryogenic set-ups to reduce the influence from thermal noise, and thus are impractical for many scenarios.

Recently, a new strategy based on nanocavities attracts considerable attention due to its simplicity and the potential to deliver ultrahigh sensitivities for IR detection at room temperature.

However, the detection wavelength is poorly tunable due to the limited range of vibrationally-active modes of the core molecular monolayer used in these nanocavities.

In this project, I propose to introduce an ultrathin conducting polymer film to replace the molecular monolayer and to utilize a novel tunable feature of conducting polymer plasmonics to realize multiple-wavelength IR detection within a single type of nanocavities.

The ultrathin polymer films can possess intense plasmonic resonances and are capable of tuning over the whole mid-IR range.

In addition, I will systematically investigate the optical and electrical properties of these ultrathin polymer films, with focus on their optomechanical behaviours, charge transport mechanisms, and hyperbolic permittivity dispersion.

This proposed study effectively combines my strengths (polymer plasmonics) and the expertise of my hosts (nanocavities and nanoantennas) and will create a highly interdisciplinary field benefiting researchers in various areas.