With this project we intend to deepen and advance the study of the new possibilities that plasmonics, based on oxides, can contribute to the solution of the problems that current technologies present in the detection of the mid-infrared wavelength range. New physics, linked to plasmonics, opens up new horizons and options, both in the academic and technological worlds. This project aims to take a new step in this exciting path.

Thus, as a development of the work we have done in recent years, in the framework of several projects with public financing (Prometeo II 2015-004, TEC2014-60173-C2-1- R and TEC2017-85912-C2-2), we propose the following areas of activity:

1. Crystal growth and fundamental characterization of advanced oxide-based materials, both in the form of thin layers and nanostructures, with special interest in aspects related to technological applications in the domain of plasmonics. Applications, for whose development, it will be necessary to delve into the academic aspects on which obtaining the level of maturity that allows turning its potential into reality depends. Therefore, the structural, morphological and physical property characterization will focus above all on those aspects linked to the efficient use of these oxides in applications based on their plasmonic functionality.

2. In particular, this project will address the growth and characterization of layers and nanostructures of transparent conductive oxides (TCO) based on cadmium, zinc, gallium and indium: CdO, ZnO, its alloy (Cd1-xZnxO), Ga₂O₃ and In₂O₃. These materials will be grown, using gas phase chemical deposition techniques from metal-organic precursors (MOCVD) and spray pyrolysis (SP), on different substrates depending on the application and properties required.

3. We will work systematically to establish the correlation between the physical properties and the growth conditions and subsequent post-growth treatments, in order to influence the control of the plasmon frequency, as the main idea of the functionalities that we will address.

4. The proposed activity will be achieved in the processing of plasmonic structures to apply them in the area of mid-infrared detection.