Slot Antennas for Graphene Mid-IR Imaging Arrays as well an Approach for CMOS Implementation Thereof

A filter-based color imaging array that resolves N different colors detects only 1/N th of the incoming light. In the thermal infrared wavelength range, filtering loss is exacerbated by the lower sensor detectivity at infrared wavelengths than at visible wavelengths. To avoid loss due to filtering, most spectral imagers use bulky optics, such as diffraction gratings or Fourier transform interferometers, to resolve different colors. Fortunately, it is possible to avoid filtering loss without bulky optics: detect light with interleaved arrays of sub-wavelength-spaced antennas tuned to different wavelengths. An optically sensitive element inside each antenna absorbs light at the antenna's resonant wavelength. Metallic slot antennas offer high efficiency, intrinsic unidirectionality, and lower cross-talk than dipole or bowtie antennas. Graphene serves at the optically active material inside each antenna because its 2D nature makes it easily adaptable to this imager architecture.