Plasmonic Innovative Sensing in the IR (PLAISIR)

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Abstract:

In all areas from health, environment through to security and chemical process control, mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopic chemical sensing is of fundamental importance. The mid-IR spectral range is the key region for finger printing molecules and proteins and their abundance. The objective of the PLAISIR project is to transpose the latest advances in plasmonics achieved in the visible spectral range to the mid-IR wavelengths, where the potential for devices can impact two key areas: spectroscopic chemical sensing and smart, cheaper, mid-IR photodetectors. While the advantages of plasmonic-based photonic components in the visible and NIR is very promising, it is now clear that there is a huge potential for plasmonics in the IR (i.e. the 1.6-16 μm range) that could be truly disruptive. This project will harness European know-how to create a disruptive technology in the mid-IR to enable both smart and cheap detectors and sensing surfaces. The project partners aim at a balance of market-pull and technological push by including 4 major actors in fundamental and applied plasmonic research (Swiss Centre for Microtechnology, Queen’s University of Belfast, Technical University of Dresden and University of Zaragoza) and 3 SMEs (Xenics NV, Vigo System SA, and Photon Design Ltd.).