Millimeter-wave to near-terahertz sensors based on reversible insulator-to-metal transition in VO.

In the quest for low power bio-inspired spiking sensors, functional oxides like vanadium dioxide are expected to enable future energy efficient sensing. Here, we report uncooled millimeter-wave spiking detectors based on the sensitivity of insulator-to-metal transition threshold voltage to the incident wave. The detection concept is demonstrated through actuation of biased VO switches encapsulated in a pair of coupled antennas by interrupting coplanar waveguides for broadband measurements, on silicon substrates.