Evaluation of a pyroelectric detector with a carbon multiwalled nanotube black coating in the infrared

Optical power detector with broad spectral coverage, high detectivity, and large dynamic range

Optical power measurements are needed in practically all technologies based on light. Here, we report a general-purpose optical power detector based on the photoacoustic effect. Optical power incident on the detector's black absorber produces an acoustic signal, which is further converted into an electrical signal using a silicon-cantilever pressure transducer. We demonstrate an exceptionally large spectral coverage from ultraviolet to far infrared, with the possibility for further extension to the terahertz region. The linear dynamic range of the detector reaches 80 dB, ranging from a noise-equivalent power of 6 n W/H z to 600 mW (independent of signal averaging time).

Bioinspired Microstructured Polymer Surfaces with Antireflective Properties

Over the years, different approaches to obtaining antireflective surfaces have been explored, such as using index-matching, interference, or micro- and nanostructures. Structural super black colors are ubiquitous in nature, and biomimicry thus constitutes an interesting way to develop antireflective surfaces. Moth-eye nanostructures, for example, are well known and have been successfully replicated using micro- and nanofabrication. However, other animal species, such as birds of paradise and peacock spiders, have evolved to display larger structures with antireflective features. In peacock spiders, the antireflective properties of their super black patches arise from relatively simple microstructures with lens-like shapes organized in tightly packed hexagonal arrays, which makes them a good candidate for cheap mass replication techniques. In this paper, we present the fabrication and characterization of antireflective microarrays inspired by the peacock spider’s super black structures encountered in nature. Firstly, different microarrays 3D models are generated from a surface equation. Secondly, the arrays are fabricated in a polyacrylate resin by super-resolution 3D printing using two-photon polymerization. Thirdly, the resulting structures are inspected using a scanning electron microscope. Finally, the reflectance and transmittance of the printed structures are characterized at normal incidence with a dedicated optical setup. The bioinspired microlens arrays display excellent antireflective properties, with a measured reflectance as low as 0.042 ± 0.004% for normal incidence, a wavelength of 550 nm, and a collection angle of 14.5°. These values were obtained using a tightly-packed array of slightly pyramidal lenses with a radius of 5 µm and a height of 10 µm.

Photoacoustic characteristics of carbon-based infrared absorbers

We present an experimental comparison of photoacoustic responsivities of common highly absorbing carbon-based materials. The comparison was carried out with parameters relevant for photoacoustic power detectors and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy: we covered a broad wavelength range from the visible red to far infrared (633 nm to 25 μm) and the regime of low acoustic frequencies (< 1 kHz). The investigated materials include a candle soot-based coating, a black paint coating and two different carbon nanotube coatings. Of these, the low-cost soot absorber produced clearly the highest photoacoustic response over the entire measurement range.

Low reflectance of carbon nanotube and nanoscroll-based thin film coatings: a case study

Research on carbon material-based thin films with low light reflectance has received significant attention for the development of high absorber coatings for stray light control applications. Herein, we report a method for the successful fabrication of stable thin films comprised of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanoscrolls (CNS) on an aluminium (Al) substrate, which exhibited low reflectance of the order of 2-3% in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral bands. Changes in the structural and chemical composition of pristine single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) samples were analyzed after each processing step. Spectroscopy, microscopy and microstructural studies demonstrated emergence of CNS and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) due to the sequential chemical processing of the sample. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed the formation of CNS via curling and folding of graphene sheets. Microstructural investigations including SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed the presence of microcavities and pores on the surface of the film. These cavities and pores significantly contribute to the observed low reflectance value of CNTs, CNS compound films by trapping the incident light. Fundamental space environmental simulation tests (SEST) were performed on the coated films, that showed promising results with reflectance values almost unaltered in the visible and NIR spectral bands, demonstrating the durability of these films as potential candidates to be used in extreme space environmental conditions. This study describes the preparation, characterization, and testing of blended CNT and CNS coatings for low-light scattering applications.

Infrared camera on a butterfly's wing

Thermal cameras were constructed long ago, but working principles and complex technologies still limit their resolution, total number of pixels, and sensitivity. We address the problem of finding a new sensing mechanism surpassing existing limits of thermal radiation detection. Here we reveal the new mechanism on the butterfly wing, whose wing-scales act as pixels of an imaging array on a thermal detector. We observed that the tiniest features of a Morpho butterfly wing-scale match the mean free path of air molecules at atmospheric pressure - a condition when the radiation-induced heating produces an additional, thermophoretic force that deforms the wing-scales. The resulting deformation field was imaged holographically with mK temperature sensitivity and 200 Hz response speed. By imitating butterfly wing-scales, the effect can be further amplified through a suitable choice of material, working pressure, sensor design, and detection method. The technique is universally applicable to any nano-patterned, micro-scale system in other spectral ranges, such as UV and terahertz.

Super Black Material from Low-Density Carbon Aerogels with Subwavelength Structures

Many scientists have devoted themselves to the study of the interaction between subwavelength structures and electromagnetic waves. These structures are commonly composed of regular arrays of subwavelength protuberances, which can be artificially designed. However, extending from 2D periodic patterns to 3D disordered subwavelength structures has not been studied yet. In this study, we studied the total diffuse reflectivity of carbon aerogels with various 3D networks of randomly oriented particle-like nanostructures by using normally incident visible light (430-675 nm). We observed that the different 3D network nanostructures of carbon aerogels, especially for the structures with the minimum size, reduced the reflectivity effectively. It was found that the key mechanism for the subwavelength-structure-induced ultralow reflectivity property is due to the decrease of the amplitude of electron vibration forced by the electromagnetic wave, which provides a simple method for designing perfect black materials.

Novel growth method of carbon nanotubes using catalyst-support layer developed by alumina grit blasting

We propose an efficient method of growing carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays on a variety of metals, alloys, and carbon materials using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) assisted by a simple surface treatment of the materials. The main feature of this method is the application of grit blasting with fine alumina particles to the development of a catalyst-support layer required for the growth of CNTs on various conductive materials, including ultra-hard metals such as tungsten. Auger electron spectroscopy shows that grit blasting can form a non-continuous layer where alumina nanoparticles are embedded as residues in the blasting media left on the treated surfaces. This work reveals that such a non-continuous alumina layer can behave as the catalyst-support layer, which is generally prepared by sputter or a vacuum evaporation coating process that considerably restricts the practical applications of CNTs. We have attempted to grow CNTs on grit-blasted substrates of eighteen conventionally used conductive materials using CVD together with a floating iron catalyst. The proposed method was successful in growing multi-walled CNT arrays on the grit-blasted surfaces of all the examined materials, demonstrating its versatility. Furthermore, we found that the group IV metal oxide films thermally grown on the as-received substrates can support the catalytic activity of iron nanoparticles in the CVD process just as well as the alumina film developed by grit blasting. Spectral emissivity of the CNT arrays in the visible and infrared wavelength ranges has been determined to assess the applicability of the CNT arrays as a black coating media.

Diode-based microbolometer with performance enhanced by broadband metamaterial absorber

This Letter reports a microbolometer integrated with a broadband metamaterial absorber (MMA) to enhance its performance, which contains series-connected silicon diodes as the temperature sensor. The broadband MMA is readily integrated into the device by introducing an array of different-sized square resonators on the silicon nitride structural layer, while the widened titanium interconnecting wires between individual diodes serve as the ground plane. In a comparative experiment, the broadband MMA was demonstrated to be superior to the ordinary silicon nitride absorber in a broad spectra range, especially in a long-wavelength IR regime, which directly leads to an increase in IR responsivity by 60%. More importantly, this enhancement in responsivity was achieved with no sacrifice of the response time due to the negligible thermal mass of the introduced resonator array.

The partial space qualification of a vertically aligned carbon nanotube coating on aluminium substrates for EO applications

The fabrication of NanoTube Black, a Vertically Aligned carbon NanoTube Array (VANTA) on aluminium substrates is reported for the first time. The coating on aluminium was realised using a process that employs top down thermal radiation to assist growth, enabling deposition at temperatures below the substrate's melting point. The NanoTube Black coatings were shown to exhibit directional hemispherical reflectance values of typically less than 1% across wavelengths in the 2.5 µm to 15 µm range. VANTA-coated aluminium substrates were subjected to space qualification testing (mass loss, outgassing, shock, vibration and temperature cycling) before their optical properties were re-assessed. Within measurement uncertainty, no changes to hemispherical reflectance were detected, confirming that NanoTube Black coatings on aluminium are good candidates for Earth Observation (EO) applications.

Evaluating the thermal damage resistance of graphene/carbon nanotube hybrid composite coatings

We study laser irradiation behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and chemically modified graphene (rGO)-composite spray coatings for use as a thermal absorber material for high-power laser calorimeters. Spray coatings on aluminum test coupon were exposed to increasing laser irradiance for extended exposure times to quantify their damage threshold and optical absorbance. The coatings, prepared at varying mass % of MWCNTs in rGO, demonstrated significantly higher damage threshold values at 2.5 kW laser power at 10.6 μm wavelength than carbon paint or MWCNTs alone. Electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy of irradiated specimens show that the coating prepared at 50% CNT loading endure at least 2 kW x cm(-2) for 10 seconds without significant damage. The improved damage resistance is attributed to the unique structure of the composite in which the MWCNTs act as an efficient absorber of laser light while the much larger rGO sheets surrounding them, dissipate the heat over a wider area.

Carbon nanotube coated fiber Bragg grating for photomechanical optic modulator

We have demonstrated novel concept of utilizing the photomechanical actuation in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to tune and reversibly switch the Bragg wavelength. When fiber Bragg grating coated with CNTs (CNT-FBG) is exposed externally to a wide range of optical wavelengths, e.g., ultraviolet to infrared (0.2-200 μm), a strain is induced in the CNTs which alters the grating pitch and refractive index in the CNT-FBG system resulting in a shift in the Bragg wavelength. This novel approach will find applications in telecommunication, sensors and actuators, and also for real time monitoring of the photomechanical actuation in nanoscale materials.

Very high laser-damage threshold of polymer-derived Si(B)CN-carbon nanotube composite coatings

We study the laser irradiance behavior and resulting structural evolution of polymer-derived silicon-boron-carbonitride (Si(B)CN) functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite spray coatings on copper substrate. We report a damage threshold value of 15 kWcm(-2) and an optical absorbance of 0.97 after irradiation. This is an order of magnitude improvement over MWCNT (1.4 kWcm(-2), 0.76), SWCNT (0.8 kWcm(-2), 0.65) and carbon paint (0.1 kWcm(-2), 0.87) coatings previously tested at 10.6 μm (2.5 kW CO2 laser) exposure. Electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggests partial oxidation of Si(B)CN forming a stable protective SiO2 phase upon irradiation.

Dark materials based on graphene sheet stacks

The effective medium properties of graphene sheet stacks are calculated, and it is shown that such stacks can have very low reflectivity and high absorbance. These properties make graphene-sheet-stack-based materials darker than recently studied carbon nanotube materials. Graphene stacks thus hold promise for realizing lower reflectivity coatings and enhanced photodetectors. The bounds of the effective medium approximation and the possible benefits of using graphene sheet stacks in a regime where this approximation does not hold are discussed.

Very black infrared detector from vertically aligned carbon nanotubes and electric-field poling of lithium tantalate

Vertically aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes were grown by water-assisted chemical vapor deposition on a large-area lithium tantalate pyroelectric detector. The processing parameters are nominally identical to those by which others have achieved the "world's darkest substance" on a silicon substrate. The pyroelectric detector material, though a good candidate for such a coating, presents additional challenges and outcomes. After coating, a cycle of heating, electric field poling, and cooling was employed to restore the spontaneous polarization perpendicular to the detector electrodes. The detector responsivity is reported along with imaging as well as visible and infrared reflectance measurements of the detector and a silicon witness sample. We find that the detector responsivity is slightly compromised by the heat of processing and the coating properties are substrate dependent. However, it is possible to achieve nearly ideal values of detector reflectance uniformly less than 0.1% from 400 nm to 4 microm and less than 1% from 4 to 14 microm.

Optical reflectivity from highly disordered Si nanowire films

In this work we present a study of the reflectivity from highly disordered silicon nanowire films as a function of the wire size. Arrays of Au-catalyzed Si wires with length and diameter ranging from 0.15-0.2 microm and 30-50 nm up to 20-25 microm and 200-250 nm, respectively, were grown on top of either SiO(2)(1 microm)/Si(100) or Si(100) substrates. The integrated total reflection was measured in the 190-2500 nm spectral range. The results show that, increasing the wire size, the optical behavior of the Si wire film can be gradually tuned from that of an optical coating characterized by a graded effective refractive index to that of an ensemble of diffuse optical reflectors. In addition, we show how the optical analysis provides some important indications concerning the structural properties of the nanowires.

Novel dye-sensitized solar cell architecture using TiO2-coated vertically aligned carbon nanofiber arrays

A novel dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) architecture based on vertically aligned carbon nanofibers coated with a thin nanoneedle-textured anatase TiO2 film is demonstrated. An encouraging overall conversion efficiency of approximately 1.09% and a rather high open-circuit voltage of approximately 0.64 V have been achieved. The efficient charge separation at the TiO2-CNF junction and the large outer TiO2 surface of this core-shell architecture provide new methods to tune the materials and interfaces in solar cells.

A black body absorber from vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes

Among all known materials, we found that a forest of vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes behaves most similarly to a black body, a theoretical material that absorbs all incident light. A requirement for an object to behave as a black body is to perfectly absorb light of all wavelengths. This important feature has not been observed for real materials because materials intrinsically have specific absorption bands because of their structure and composition. We found a material that can absorb light almost perfectly across a very wide spectral range (0.2-200 mum). We attribute this black body behavior to stem from the sparseness and imperfect alignment of the vertical single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Infrared responsivity of a pyroelectric detector with a single-wall carbon nanotube coating

The performance of a 10 mm diameter pyroelectric detector coated with a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) was evaluated in the 0.8 to 20 microm wavelength range. The relative spectral responsivity of this detector exhibits significant fluctuations over the wavelength range examined. This is consistent with independent absorbance measurements, which show that SWCNTs exhibit selective absorption bands in the visible and near-infrared. The performance of the detector in terms of noise equivalent power and detectivity in wavelength regions of high coating absorptivity was comparable with gold-black-coated pyroelectric detectors based on 50 microm thick LiTaO(3) crystals. The response of this detector was shown to be nonlinear for DC equivalent photocurrents >10(-9) A, and its spatial uniformity of response was comparable with other pyroelectric detectors utilizing gold-black coatings. The nonuniform spectral responsivity exhibited by the SWCNT-coated detector is expected to severely restrict the use of SWCNTs as black coatings for thermal detectors. However, the deposition of SWCNT coatings on a pyroelectric crystal followed by the study of the prominence of the spectral features in the relative spectral responsivity of the resultant pyroelectric detectors is shown to provide an effective method for quantifying the impurity content in SWCNT samples.

Absolute linearity measurements on LiTaO3 pyroelectric detectors

The nonlinearity characteristics of a number of LiTaO3 pyroelectric detectors were experimentally investigated using the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) detector linearity characterization facility. All the detectors examined were shown to exhibit a superlinear response, i.e., the responsivity of the detectors increases as the incident radiant power increases. The temperature coefficient of response of some of these LiTaO3 pyroelectric detectors was measured and found to be approximately +0.2% degrees C(-1). The superlinear behavior of the LiTaO3 pyroelectric detectors was attributed to the positive temperature coefficient of response values of these detectors. Moreover, the linearity factor of gold-black-coated LiTaO3 pyroelectric detectors was shown to exhibit a dependency on the area of the spot illuminating the active area of the detector, i.e., on the incident irradiance. Possible reasons for the observed behavior are proposed and discussed. Some variations in the slopes of the plots of the linearity factor versus irradiance for different areas being illuminated have been assigned to the poor spatial uniformity of response of these detectors.