A common approach to detecting weak signals or minute quantities involves leveraging the localized spectral features of resonant modes, whose sharper lines (i.e., high Q-factors) enhance transduction sensitivity. However, maximizing the Q-factor often introduces technical challenges in fabrication and design. In this work, we propose an alternative strategy to achieve sharper spectral features by using interference and nonlinearity, all while maintaining a constant dissipation rate. Using far-infrared thermomechanical detectors as a test case, we demonstrate that signal transduction along an engineered response curve slope effectively reduces the detector’s noise equivalent power (NEP), achieving ∼30pW/Hz NEP for electrical read-out, sub-THz detectors with an optimized absorbing layer.
Enhanced Sensitivity of Sub-THz Thermomechanical Bolometers Exploiting Vibrational Nonlinearity
Alborghetti, L.Primo
;Bertoni, B.
Secondo
;Vicarelli, L.;Zanotto, S.;Roddaro, S.;Tredicucci, A.;Cautero, G.;Pitanti, A.
Ultimo
2026-01-01
Abstract
A common approach to detecting weak signals or minute quantities involves leveraging the localized spectral features of resonant modes, whose sharper lines (i.e., high Q-factors) enhance transduction sensitivity. However, maximizing the Q-factor often introduces technical challenges in fabrication and design. In this work, we propose an alternative strategy to achieve sharper spectral features by using interference and nonlinearity, all while maintaining a constant dissipation rate. Using far-infrared thermomechanical detectors as a test case, we demonstrate that signal transduction along an engineered response curve slope effectively reduces the detector’s noise equivalent power (NEP), achieving ∼30pW/Hz NEP for electrical read-out, sub-THz detectors with an optimized absorbing layer.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
