Theory and Design of a Novel Integrated Polarimetric Sensor Utilizing a Light Sorting Metamaterial Grating

An integrated polarimetric detector using a polarization-dependent light sorting metamaterial grating is proposed and its theoretical principles of operation are discussed. This polarimeter implements a metamaterial grating in a focal plane array situated atop of a gallium arsenide substrate. The metamaterial serves three purposes in this design. The first function of the metamaterial is to split and selectively channel TM and TE polarized light through different parts of the grating using resonant waveguide modes. The second function is to transmit the localized light into the semiconductor substrate. The third function of the metamaterial is to serve as an electrical contact array for current collection of the photogenerated carriers in the GaAs substrate. By biasing the contacts with different leads, one can separate the current collected from each polarization. Optical and electrical simulation methods are used to obtain the optical transmission, electrical crosstalk, and responsivity of the device. Using the developed theoretical model, it is shown that the device is capable of determining the Stokes parameters of incident light from the separated currents.