Objectives

The objective of the PLAISIR project is to transpose the latest advances in plasmonics achieved in the visible to the mid-IR, where the potential for devices can impact two key areas: spectroscopic chemical sensing and smart, cheaper, mid-IR photodetectors. The term "plasmonics" refers to the investigation, development and application of enhanced electromagnetic properties of metallic (nano-) structures and has been an academic activity until relatively recently.

Now plasmonics is starting to find applications in a range of photonic devices such as VCSELs and high speed photodetectors. While the promise 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 mid-IR (i.e. the 1.6-16 micrometer range) that could be truly disruptive.