Abstract: An integrated device for the detection of cancerous tissue including an optical fiber configured to receive at a first end modulated infrared light and to conduct the modulated infrared light from the first end to a second end; and a plasmonic metasurface, disposed on the second end of the optical fiber, configured to localize evanescent infrared light to sub-I 00 nanometer distances from the plasmonic metasurface of the optical fiber such that the localized evanescent infrared light penetrates only the membrane portion of a cell held against the second end, wherein the second end is configured to receive reflected light reflected from the membrane portion the cell, the reflected light including spectroscopic information indicative of whether the cell is noncancerous or cancerous.

Abstract: An integrated device for the detection of cancerous tissue including an optical fiber configured to receive at a first end modulated infrared light and to conduct the modulated infrared light from the first end to a second end; and a plasmonic metasurface, disposed on the second end of the optical fiber, configured to localize evanescent infrared light to sub-I 00 nanometer distances from the plasmonic metasurface of the optical fiber such that the localized evanescent infrared light penetrates only the membrane portion of a cell held against the second end, wherein the second end is configured to receive reflected light reflected from the membrane portion the cell, the reflected light including spectroscopic information indicative of whether the cell is noncancerous or cancerous.

Abstract: An integrated device for the detection of cancerous tissue including an optical fiber configured to receive at a first end modulated infrared light and to conduct the modulated infrared light from the first end to a second end; and a plasmonic metasurface, disposed on the second end of the optical fiber, configured to localize evanescent infrared light to sub-100 nanometer distances from the plasmonic metasurface of the optical fiber such that the localized evanescent infrared light penetrates only the membrane portion of a cell held against the second end, wherein the second end is configured to receive reflected light reflected from the membrane portion the cell, the reflected light including spectroscopic information indicative of whether the cell is noncancerous or cancerous.

Abstract: A solar thermophotovoltaic system has a heat exchanger containing a heat exchange fluid, and a thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber emitter (ISSAE) in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchanger, the ISSAE including an ultra-thin non-shiny metal layer that is strongly absorbing in a solar spectral range and strongly reflective in an infrared spectral range. The metal layer has an inner surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic cell support structure with an inner surface in a concentric configuration partially surrounds the ISSAE; and an airgap separates the support structure and the outer surface of the metal layer. Photovoltaic cells are arranged on a portion of the inner surface of the support structure to receive emissions from the ISSAE, and a solar energy collector/concentrator allows solar radiation to impinge a portion of the metal layer.

Abstract: An integrated device for the detection of cancerous tissue including an optical fiber configured to receive at a first end modulated infrared light and to conduct the modulated infrared light from the first end to a second end; and a plasmonic metasurface, disposed on the second end of the optical fiber, configured to localize evanescent infrared light to sub-100 nanometer distances from the plasmonic metasurface of the optical fiber such that the localized evanescent infrared light penetrates only the membrane portion of a cell held against the second end, wherein the second end is configured to receive reflected light reflected from the membrane portion the cell, the reflected light including spectroscopic information indicative of whether the cell is noncancerous or cancerous.

Abstract: A meta-optical device, which imparts a phase delay to incident light of a wavelength band, includes: a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other; a liquid crystal layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; a meta-surface layer located within the liquid crystal layer and including a plurality of nanostructures each having a shape dimension smaller than a center wavelength of the wavelength band; and a voltage device configured to apply a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. The meta-optical device may exhibit an electrically controlled variable focal length.

Abstract: A detection unit, device, and system for cell capture, spectral analysis, and drug interaction monitoring. The detection unit includes an IR-transparent substrate connected to a plasmonic metasurface with an array of metallic antennas. In a detection device, the detection unit is connected to a microfluidic chamber with a channel such that the channel extends along the metasurface. For the detection system, the detection device is mounted on a microscope. The infrared spectra are collected in reflection, with infrared light impinging on the metasurface from the substrate side and returning back through the substrate in the form of reflected infrared light. The system includes a syringe pump for injecting live cells into the chamber. An AC source is connected to the metasurface for cell capture and its AC voltage creates a dielectrophoretic (DEP) force that causes the live cells to move from the chamber and onto the metasurface for spectral analysis.

Abstract: A solar thermophotovoltaic system has a heat exchanger containing a heat exchange fluid, and a thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber emitter (ISSAE) in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchanger, the ISSAE including an ultra-thin non-shiny metal layer that is strongly absorbing in a solar spectral range and strongly reflective in an infrared spectral range. The metal layer has an inner surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchanger. A photovoltaic cell support structure with an inner surface in a concentric configuration partially surrounds the ISSAE; and an airgap separates the support structure and the outer surface of the metal layer. Photovoltaic cells are arranged on a portion of the inner surface of the support structure to receive emissions from the ISSAE, and a solar energy collector/concentrator allows solar radiation to impinge a portion of the metal layer.

Abstract: A solar thermophotovoltaic system includes a heat exchange pipe containing a heat exchange fluid, and a thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber emitter (ISSAE) in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchange pipe, the ISSAE including an ultra-thin non-shiny metal layer comprising a metal strongly absorbing in a solar spectral range and strongly reflective in an infrared spectral range, the metal layer having an inner surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchange pipe. The system further includes a photovoltaic cell support structure having an inner surface in a concentric configuration surrounding at least a portion of the ISSAE; and an airgap separating the support structure and the outer surface of the metal layer.

Abstract: An integrated device for the detection of cancerous tissue including an optical fiber configured to receive at a first end modulated infrared light and to conduct the modulated infrared light from the first end to a second end; and a plasmonic metasurface, disposed on the second end of the optical fiber, configured to localize evanescent infrared light to sub-100 nanometer distances from the plasmonic metasurface of the optical fiber such that the localized evanescent infrared light penetrates only the membrane portion of a cell held against the second end, wherein the second end is configured to receive reflected light reflected from the membrane portion the cell, the reflected light including spectroscopic information indicative of whether the cell is noncancerous or cancerous.

Abstract: A solar thermophotovoltaic system includes a heat exchange pipe containing a heat exchange fluid, and a thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber emitter (ISSAE) in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchange pipe, the ISSAE including an ultra-thin non-shiny metal layer comprising a metal strongly absorbing in a solar spectral range and strongly reflective in an infrared spectral range, the metal layer having an inner surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchange pipe. The system further includes a photovoltaic cell support structure having an inner surface in a concentric configuration surrounding at least a portion of the ISSAE; and an airgap separating the support structure and the outer surface of the metal layer.

Abstract: A solar thermophotovoltaic system includes a heat exchange pipe containing a heat exchange fluid, and a thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber emitter (ISSAE) in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchange pipe, the ISSAE including an ultra-thin non-shiny metal layer comprising a metal strongly absorbing in a solar spectral range and strongly reflective in an infrared spectral range, the metal layer having an inner surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchange pipe. The system further includes a photovoltaic cell support structure having an inner surface in a concentric configuration surrounding at least a portion of the ISSAE; and an airgap separating the support structure and the outer surface of the metal layer.

Abstract: A solar thermophotovoltaic system includes a heat exchange pipe containing a heat exchange fluid, and a thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber emitter (ISSAE) in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchange pipe, the ISSAE including an ultra-thin non-shiny metal layer comprising a metal strongly absorbing in a solar spectral range and strongly reflective in an infrared spectral range, the metal layer having an inner surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the heat exchange pipe. The system further includes a photovoltaic cell support structure having an inner surface in a concentric configuration surrounding at least a portion of the ISSAE; and an airgap separating the support structure and the outer surface of the metal layer.

Abstract: A rectifier is provided for converting an oscillating electromagnetic field into a direct current and comprises an electrically conductive antenna layer configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation, an electrically conductive mirror layer configured to provide an electromagnetic mirror charge of the antenna layer, an electrically insulating tunnel barrier layer positioned between the antenna layer and the mirror layer, and an electronic circuit electrically connected between the conductive mirror layer and the conductive antenna layer. The rectifier employs a metamaterial configuration for room temperature rectification of radiation in regions of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising the MWIR and LWIR regions. Methods for use of the rectifier in rectifying and detecting radiation are described.

Abstract: Thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber/emitter (ISSAE) that is simultaneously (i) an efficient sunlight absorber; (ii) an efficient heat insulator that enables modest sunlight concentration to produce a high temperature by reducing infrared emission by a hot surface; (iii) a spectrally-selective infrared emitter that supplies infrared photons of the right energy to a targeted photovoltaic cell, thereby matching its bandgap. Additionally, said ISSAE is sufficiently thin to enable its use as a wrapping/cloaking material for use with hot storage pipes containing heat exchange fluid. Said ISSAE is incorporated into a number of solar-conversion apparatus, taking advantage of the unique properties of said ISSAE.

Abstract: An electro-optical device using a plasmonic metasurface. The electro-optical device includes an electro-optical substrate and an array(s) of plasmonic unit cells forming a plasmonic metasurface fabricated on the substrate, where each of the plasmonic unit cells mimics a field-effect transistor. In each of the plasmonic unit cells, there is a drain and a source antenna separated from each other via a gap. In such a structure, a gate contact is not required thereby simplifying device fabrication. Furthermore, the device can be scaled to cover a large frequency range and have a flexible optical response, which is used to detect the presence of biomolecules. For example, the presence of a biomolecule is detected by observing a change in the electrical properties of the substrate in the gap region caused by a change in the substrate temperature which was caused by a change in the optical absorption of the plasmonic unit cell(s).

Abstract: A rectifier is provided for converting an oscillating electromagnetic field into a direct current and comprises an electrically conductive antenna layer configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation, an electrically conductive mirror layer configured to provide an electromagnetic mirror charge of the antenna layer, an electrically insulating tunnel barrier layer positioned between the antenna layer and the mirror layer, and an electronic circuit electrically connected between the conductive mirror layer and the conductive antenna layer. The rectifier employs a metamaterial configuration for room temperature rectification of radiation in regions of the electromagnetic spectrum comprising the MWIR and LWIR regions. Methods for use of the rectifier in rectifying and detecting radiation are described.

Abstract: An optical device for generating narrow-band circularly and elliptically polarized radiation, either by conversion from externally incident light or through thermal emission of heated objects. The optical device includes a metasurface comprised of unit cells, where each unit cell contains structural elements or features that break two mirror inversion symmetries of the unit cell and couple bright and dark resonances. In this manner, the optical device emits circularly polarized radiation that does not exhibit a preference for right-hand circularly polarized light or left-hand circularly polarized light incident upon it. As a result, multiple of such optical devices with different unit cell sizes, geometries and dimensions of the intra-cell elements may be implemented as a tag that thermally emits different states of circularly polarized radiation confined to multiple spectrally-narrow bands.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to integrated resonance detectors and arrays of integrated resonance detectors and to methods for making and using the integrated resonance detectors and arrays. Integrated resonance detectors comprise a substrate, a conducting mirror layer, an active layer, and a patterned conducting layer. Electromagnetic radiation is detected by transducing a specific resonance-induced field enhancement in the active layer to a detection current that is proportional to the incident irradiance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to integrated resonance detectors and arrays of integrated resonance detectors and to methods for making and using the integrated resonance detectors and arrays. Integrated resonance detectors comprise a substrate, a conducting mirror layer, an active layer, and a patterned conducting layer. Electromagnetic radiation is detected by transducing a specific resonance-induced field enhancement in the active layer to a detection current that is proportional to the incident irradiance.