Polarimetric pixel using Seebeck nanoantennas

Optical nanoantennas made of two metals are proposed to produce a Seebeck voltage proportional to the Stokes parameters of a light beam. The analysis is made using simulations in the electromagnetic and thermal domains. Each Stokes parameter is independently obtained from a dedicated nanoantenna configuration. S-1 and S-2 rely on the combination of two orthogonal dipoles. S-3 is given by arranging two Archimedian spirals with opposite orientations. The analysis also includes an evaluation of the error associated with the Seebeck voltage, and the crosstalk between Stokes parameters. The results could lead to the conception of polarization sensors having a receiving area smaller than 10 lambda(2). We illustrate these findings with a design of a polarimetric pixel. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America