(6f) On Nanoscale Bolometer to Study Chemical Plumes

Nanotechnology is rapidly emerging as a distinct discipline by itself. Nanobolometers can be designed for Infra Red and Millimeter waves by better understanding the role of electrons, molecules, photons and phonons. Imaging of chemical plumes can be performed using these nanobolometers. Current microbolometer cannot afford a multispectral/polarimetric ability and they provei for lower sensitivity and slower response times. Focal Plane Arrays, FPA, based on cooled HgCdTe photodiodes can provide an alternative. Multispectral/polarimetric ability and higher sensitivity can be expected using nanobolometers. Nanoengineering of two dissimilar materials i.e., a metal nanoparticle array in a dilectric matrix at a length scale of about 10 nm, produced a metamaterial that possess interesting mechanical, optical, electrical and thermal properties. The design and performance issues of a nanobolometer is discussed in this study.