Patent ID: 7105852

Claim:
A detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation incident thereon over a desired range of frequencies, said detector having an output and exhibiting a given responsivity, said detector comprising: a voltage source for providing a bias voltage; first and second non-insulating layers spaced apart from one another such that the bias voltage can be applied across the first and second non-insulating layers, wherein the first non-insulating layer is formed of a metal, and wherein said first and second non-insulating layers are configured to form an antenna structure for receiving said electromagnetic radiation over the desired range of frequencies and directing said electromagnetic radiation to a specific location within the detector; and an arrangement disposed between the first and second non-insulating layers at said specific location and configured to serve as a transport of electrons between and to said first and second non-insulating layers as a result of the electromagnetic radiation being received at the antenna structure, said arrangement including at least a first insulating layer configured such that using only said first insulating layer in the arrangement would result in a given value of nonlinearity in said transport of electrons, with respect to said bias voltage, and said arrangement further including a different, second insulating layer disposed directly adjacent to and configured to cooperate with said first insulating layer that said nonlinearity, with respect to said bias voltage, is increased over and above said given value of nonlinearity by the inclusion of said second insulating layer without the necessity for any additional layers, and said arrangement being further configured such that the transport of electrons includes, at least in part, transport by means of tunneling, and such that at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the antenna structure is converted to an electrical signal at the output, said electrical signal having an intensity which depends on the given responsivity.