Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC

Christopher Thomas Cunningham

Joseph W Tringe

Charles G Stevens

According to one embodiment, a method of forming a plasmonic condensing lens for room temperature quantum noise limited (QNL) infrared (IR) spectrometry includes: forming a silicon cone on a substrate; coating the silicon cone with a highly reflective material; and modifying the silicon cone using focused ion beam (FIB) modification to permit transmittance of light through the silicon cone.

Room-temperature quantum noise limited spectrometry and methods of the same

According to one embodiment, a heterodyne detection system for detecting light, includes: a first input aperture configured to receive first light from a scene input; a second input aperture configured to receive second light from a local oscillator input; a broadband local oscillator configured to provide the second light to the second input aperture; a dispersive element configured to disperse the first light and the second light; and a final condensing lens coupled to a detector. The final condensing lens is configured to concentrate incident light from a primary condensing lens onto the detector. The detector is configured to sense a frequency difference between the first light and the second light; and the final condensing lens comprises a plasmonic condensing lens. Methods for forming a plasmonic condensing lens to enable room temperature quantum noise limited spectrometry are also disclosed.

In one embodiment, a heterodyne detection system for detecting light includes a first input aperture configured to receive first light from a scene input, a second input aperture configured to receive second light from a local oscillator input, a broadband local oscillator configured to provide the second light to the second input aperture, a dispersive element configured to disperse the first light and the second light, and a final condensing lens coupled to an infrared detector. The final condensing lens is configured to concentrate incident light from a primary condensing lens onto the infrared detector, and the infrared detector is a square-law detector capable of sensing the frequency difference between the first light and the second light. More systems and methods for detecting light are described according to other embodiments.

In one embodiment, a heterodyne detection system for detecting light includes a first input aperture adapted for receiving first light from a scene input, a second input aperture adapted for receiving second light from a local oscillator input, a broadband local oscillator adapted for providing the second light to the second input aperture, a dispersive element adapted for dispersing the first light and the second light, and a final condensing lens coupled to an infrared detector. The final condensing lens is adapted for concentrating incident light from a primary condensing lens onto the infrared detector, and the infrared detector is a square-law detector capable of sensing the frequency difference between the first light and the second light. More systems and methods for detecting light are described according to other embodiments.

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Livermore, CA, United States of America

Christopher Thomas Cunningham