Nanoantenna harmonic sensor: theoretical analysis of contactless detection of molecules with light

Abstract

Corresponding and requests for material should be addressed to P.-Y.C. (pychen@wayne.edu) AbstractNonlinear harmonic sensor is a popular wireless sensor and radiofrequency identification (RFID) technique, which allows high-performance sensing in a severe interference/clutter background by transmitting a radio-wave and detecting its modulated higher-order harmonics. Here we introduce the concept and design of optical harmonic tags based on nonlinear nanoantennas that can contactlessly detect electronic (e.g. electron affinity) and optical (e.g. relative permittivity) characteristics of molecules. By using a dual-resonance, gold-molecule-silver nanodipole antenna, within the quantum mechanical realm, the spectral form of the second-harmonic scattering can sensitively reveal the physical properties of molecules, paving a new route towards optical molecular sensors and optical identification (OPID) of biological, genetic, and medical events for the "internet of nano-things." 2

Generation of high-power terahertz radiation by nonlinear photon-assisted tunneling transport in plasmonic metamaterials

“…In the forward bias mode, j is given by: From (21), ( 26) and (27), one obtains the forward-bias dark current density [67].…”

Machine Learning Assisted Multi-Functional Graphene-Based Harmonic Sensors

“…Consequently, miniaturization of sensors raised some new challenges for conventional backscatter radiofrequency identification (RFID) systems such as increasing the background interferences, echo and clutter noise for the passive electrically-small sensors in addition to safety, lifetime, and cost issues to provide the energy source for active sensors [5]- [9]. However, very recently the graphenebased circuit has been introduced, which not only is viable to provide the compatible features for the human body but also overcome the challenges of miniaturized RFID system by using harmonic sensing principle [10]- [19]. The harmonic sensor was inspiring with a harmonic radar which at the beginning was used for tracking a honeybee [13].…”

“…However, the complexity of the conventional harmonic sensing system arises from the required Tx/Rx antenna, filters, sensor, and frequency multiplier, which made a hurdle toward extending its advantages for miniaturized bio-medical sensors. However, graphene-based electronic circuit, in particular graphene field effect transistor (GFET), enabled integrated and light-weight harmonic sensing system using a single device [10], [11]. Graphene-based electronics sensing systems have been one of the most interesting biological and chemical sensing branches during the recent years [4]- [22], where a small change of carrier concentration (e.g.…”

“…Thus, the drain current-gate voltage (I-V) characteristic differs from the conventional field-effect transistors, such that ambipolar conduction resulted in "V" shape symmetry I-V curve while the conductivity of the graphene channel changes between the drain and source. Hence higher frequency harmonics generation has been proposed based on the single GFET due to its unique symmetric I-V characteristics, where detuning the charge natural point (Vcnp; or Dirac point) in the response to binding gas, chemical, or biological dopants on the graphene surface is modulating the second harmonic output signal that is demonstrated harmonic sensor performance [10]. Recently this type of harmonic sensor has been developed to be efficiently useful by using the battery-free and self-power circuits comprising multi-GFETs and consistent antenna [11].…”