Title: Germanium Metalenses Advancing LWIR Spectroscopy for VOC Detection
The EVOQUE project continues to push the boundaries of photonic integration for advanced gas sensing technologies. On July 22, project partner Jesús Hernán Mendoza Castro, Politecnico di Bari presented recent results at META 2025 – 15th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics, held in Málaga.
Advancing LWIR Photonics with Germanium Metalenses
The presented work, titled “Germanium Metalenses for Long-Wavelength Infrared Spectroscopy Applications”, focuses on the design and anticipated fabrication of metalenses operating in the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) range (12–15 μm). These metalenses are developed on germanium (Ge) and zinc selenide (ZnSe) platforms, materials well-suited for high-performance infrared optics.
Metalenses—ultra-thin, planar optical components—offer a compelling pathway to replace conventional bulky optics. Their integration into spectroscopy systems opens the door to compact, robust, and scalable sensing solutions.
Toward Compact BTEX Detection Systems
A key application explored in this work is the detection of BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, propane), which are critical pollutants in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. By integrating germanium metalenses into indirect absorption spectroscopy systems, the EVOQUE project aims to significantly reduce system size while maintaining high sensitivity and selectivity.
This miniaturization is essential for enabling portable and field-deployable VOC sensing platforms—one of the core ambitions of the EVOQUE initiative.
This event and presentation was a collaborative effort by partners:
- Technische Universität Wien
- Politecnico di Bari
- Munster Technological University
- Tyndall National Institute
Their combined expertise in photonics, materials science, and spectroscopy is driving forward innovative solutions for next-generation gas sensing technologies.
Looking Ahead
The development of germanium-based metalenses represents a promising step toward compact, integrated LWIR spectroscopy systems. As fabrication progresses, these components are expected to play a key role in enhancing the performance and deployability of VOC detection technologies within EVOQUE.
Stay tuned for further updates as the project continues to translate cutting-edge photonics into real-world impact.
