Luminescent detector for free-space optical communication

A method comprising:

• receiving an input-light signal;
• absorbing at least a portion of the received input-light signal;
• producing an emitted-light signal from the absorbed portion of the received input-light signal;
• receiving at least a portion of the emitted-light signal;
• concentrating the received portion of the emitted-light signal by using a plasmonic grating, the plasmonic grating comprising a plurality of plasmonic-structure elements, wherein each plasmonic-structure element extends perpendicular to a side of a wavelength shifting element;
• receiving the concentrated portion of the emitted-light signal;
• and
• producing an electrical current corresponding to the concentrated portion of the emitted-light signal.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving an input-light signal;
• means for absorbing at least a portion of the received input-light signal;
• means producing an emitted-light signal from the absorbed portion of the received input-light signal;
• means for receiving at least a portion of the emitted-light signal;
• means for concentrating the received portion of the emitted-light signal comprising a plasmonic grating, the plasmonic grating comprising a plurality of plasmonic-structure elements, wherein each plasmonic-structure element extends perpendicular to a side of a wavelength shifting element;
• means for receiving the concentrated portion of the emitted-light signal;
• and
• means for producing an electrical current corresponding to the concentrated portion of the emitted-light signal.