Universal Platform for Infra-Red Imaging

Introduction

Infra-red (IR) cameras are critical for many applications ranging from medical diagnosis and food quality control to gas and heat leakage and night vision. These applications each rely on cameras designed to work at different IR sub-bands, e.g., near-IR, mid-IR, or long-IR. No single camera can detect all IR bands simultaneously.

Limitations of Current IR Cameras

Moreover, unlike charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras that operate in the visible range, IR cameras are low in pixel numbers and often require low temperature (down to -200°C) operations, increasing their volume, cost, and power consumption.

Project Overview

UPIRI is designed to create a paradigm shift in IR visualization via the development of a new technological platform, enabled by a compact nanoscale layer that can be integrated into today's standard cameras and extend their vision to the full IR band.

Technological Development

Specifically, UPIRI will develop a layer of engineered arrays of nanoparticles, i.e., metasurfaces, that will absorb all IR bands and convert them to visible light. To realize such a new technological platform, UPIRI will address three independent challenges in the state-of-the-art:

1. Generating operational nonlinear metasurfaces
2. Stimulating non-coplanar wave mixing on metasurfaces
3. Pixelating and independently controlling metasurfaces to turn on/off each IR sub-band

Synergistic Approach

UPIRI addresses these challenges in a synergistic way by pushing the boundaries of scientific and technological innovations via:

1. Using nonlinear mixing by metasurfaces, optimized by AI to bypass low nonlinear efficiencies
2. Adapting the waveguide concept for confining the transversely propagating waves on metasurfaces
3. Generating reconfigurable metasurfaces in the nonlinear regime

Ambition and Impact

UPIRI's ambition is nothing less than the capability to visualize visible and all IR sub-bands together in high resolution with one inexpensive device. This new platform will initiate a new direction in research as an ideal alternative to today's expensive and complex semiconductor technology for IR imaging.