Plasmonic Retroreflectors for Passive Optical Identification
Abstract
This report presents the study of plasmonic retroreflecting devices for passive optical identification and tagging. Devices were designed to operate in the absence of electrical power and impart a unique spectral signature in relation to incoming light. The narrow-band, low-reflectivity response originates from the generation of surface plasmon-polaritons confined to thin metal films deposited on solid glass retroreflector prisms. The effect is highly dependent on film thickness, film type, prism type, and the incident angle of interrogating light. Numerical modeling on right angle prisms (RAPs) and corner cube retroreflectors (CCRs) demonstrated the desired plasmonic effect. Laboratory experiments on these devices validated the concept, but spectral bandwidths and magnitudes were marginal. Recommendations for future research and development are presented. Optimized plasmonic retroreflectors hold promise as passive optical identification and tagging devices for vehicles, shipping containers, transportation hardware, and other manufactured goods. Plasmonic retroreflector devices enable unique optical identification while avoiding the jamming and spectrum allocation issues more common to radio-frequency systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1118465
Entities
People
- Brooke L. Myers
- Burton H. Iii Neuner
- David T. Wayne
- Wayne C. Mcginnis
Organizations
- Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific