Quantum Detection

The IR Radiation Detection research group focuses on the investigation and development of measurement methods, materials, and components in the context of infrared (IR) radiation.

 

Thermoelectric sensors are robust, compact, and passive photonic sensors. Their range of application extends from visible light through the infrared to the upper terahertz (THz) region, with a primary focus on IR. They form the basis of efficient measurement systems in the infrared and require no external power supply to generate a measurement signal. This is based on the concept of thermal sensing: thermal sensors use heat generated by radiation for precise and contactless temperature measurements, gas detection, or infrared spectroscopy. To enable this, we research and develop suitable materials—such as efficient thermoelectrics and absorbers—and design custom sensor structures.

 

Typical sensors exhibit high linearity over five orders of magnitude. This is especially relevant for compact spectrometers, which hold great potential for life science applications and are used in the fields of environmental monitoring, healthcare, and medical technology. They are also deployed in space missions.

 

We explore optical concepts such as IR gas analysis for medical applications, biochips for the binding of biomolecules enabling efficient optical characterization, and components for thermometry and spectroscopy in space applications.

 

Bioimpedance sensors (PolCarr® chips) are compact, silicon-based sensors designed for just a few microliters of test liquid. They enable localized, self-organized attachment of polarizable biological species in liquids at the chip level, allowing for the investigation of their interaction with light—even down to the single-photon level.

 

The attachment and polarizability of biological species and organic samples are studied using infrared spectroscopic methods after drying. Photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM) allows these measurements with extremely high spatial resolution (approx. 10 nm).