Optimization of Seebeck nanoantenna-based infrared harvesters

Abstract

In this letter, the authors develop an optimized Seebeck nanoantenna design suitable for IR harvesting applications. The design is optimized via the so-called particle-swarm-optimization algorithm (PSO), an evolutionary algorithm able to drive the morphology of a nano-object towards an optimum. Along with the so-called nanoloading technique, efforts are subsequently addressed to understand the physical mechanisms behind the wave energy to voltage conversion, from both numerical and theoretical perspectives. In particular, the thermal and intrinsic impedance are considered to be the key issues beneath the device’s response.

Infrared Thermoelectric Nanoantenna with Maximum Output Voltage Using Grounded and Open‐Ended SiO2

“…Recently, a bimetal dipole nanoantenna made from titanium (Ti) and nickel (Ni) was studied for IR harvesting devices by maximizing the Joule heating. [21] However, owing to the difference in thermal conductivity of the metals, less heat can be maintained at the hot junction because the heat tends to flow toward the material with higher thermal conductivity. [21][22][23][24] As a solution to this issue, a single metal nanoantenna was used to avoid heat spread such that the high temperature at the hot junction could be maintained.…”

“…[21] However, owing to the difference in thermal conductivity of the metals, less heat can be maintained at the hot junction because the heat tends to flow toward the material with higher thermal conductivity. [21][22][23][24] As a solution to this issue, a single metal nanoantenna was used to avoid heat spread such that the high temperature at the hot junction could be maintained. [25,26] Previous studies revealed that a palladium (Pd) dipole nanoantenna integrated with a single metal Pd nano-thermocouple achieved a ∆T of ≈25 mK with a V oc of 0.03 µV.…”

“…To understand the nature of the resonance mode of the thermoelectric antenna with L = 1225 nm, we calculated the antenna input impedance using a voltage gap source excitation in the perfectly matched layer (PML) boundary. [21,29,30] In this calculation, the two antenna arms were excited using a lumped port, as shown in Figure 3f inset. The calculated input impedance of the antenna in Figure 3f indicates series resonance with an input resistance of ≈65 Ω at 28.1 THz.…”

Thermoelectric Sensor Coupled Yagi–Uda Nanoantenna for Infrared Detection

“…The operating principle is the same as that of the Seebeck effect, wherein we excite the nanoantenna designs with various laser wavelengths (650 nm, 940 nm, and 1550 nm) that detect voltages produced by the properties of intersecting materials. Compared to the state of the art, to our knowledge, this is the first time that peak percentage voltage hike detection is attained when utilizing infrared energy [26][27][28][29].…”

Surface-enhanced photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy of single molecule confined in coupled Au bowtie nanoantenna

“…Meanwhile, bowtie structure fabricated using nanolithography in experiment is more tunable and reproducible compared to other dipole-like antenna designs [32][33][34]. Although bowtie nanoantenna have been widely used in the nanophotonics field [35][36][37], there are still many unresolved issues. To our best knowledge, the spectroscopy properties of surface-enhanced photoluminescence of bowtie nanoantenna, especially the SEF effect, have not be systematically investigated in theory.…”