Plasmonic light sensors

摘要

An electronic device may be provided a plasmonic light sensor. Plasmonic light sensors may include arrays of plasmonic image pixels that detect evanescent electron density waves, or plasmons, generated in the plasmonic image pixel through an interaction with incoming light. Plasmonic image pixels may include microlenses that focus the light onto conducting wires in the plasmonic image pixel. Plasmons generated on the surface of the conducting wire may propagate along the conducting wire. Detector circuitry may be coupled to the wire on which the plasmons propagate to detect the light through detection of the evanescent electron density wave. Detector circuitry may include a biasing component for biasing a photodiode such that a small amount of light results in an avalanche of charge, or a sudden increase in current, produced in the detector circuitry in response to the evanescent wave.

主权项

1. A plasmonic image pixel, comprising:
a support structure; a conducting wire attached to the support structure; detector circuitry coupled to the conducting wire, wherein the conducting wire is configured to generate plasmons that propagate along a surface of the conducting wire in response to light, and wherein the detector circuitry is configured to detect the plasmons; a microlens formed on the support structure that focuses the light onto the conducting wire; and a conductive coating on the support structure, wherein the conducting wire is electrically coupled to the support structure using the conductive coating, and wherein the conductive coating comprises indium tin oxide.