Refractive index sensor based on high-order surface plasmon resonance in gold nanofilm coated photonic crystal fiber

We propose a novel kind of wide-range refractive index optical sensor based on photonic crystal fiber(PCF) covered with nano-ring gold film.The refractive index sensing performance of the PCF sensor is analyzed and simulated by the finite element method(FEM).The refractive index liquid is infiltrated into the cladding air hole of the PCF.By comparing the sensing performance of two kinds of photonic crystal fiber structures, a wide range and high sensitivity structure is optimized.The surface plasmon resonance(SPR) excitation material is chose as gold, and large gold nanorings are embedded around the first cladding air hole of the PCF.The higher order surface plasmon modes are generated in this designed optical fiber structure.The resonance coupling between the fundamental mode and the 5 th order surface plasmon polariton(SPP)modes is excited when the phase matching condition is matched.Therefore, the 3 rd loss peaks appear obvious red-shift with the increase of the analyte refractive index, which shows a remarkable polynomial fitting law.The fitnesses of two structures are 0.99 and 0.98, respectively.When the range of refractive indices is from 1.40 to 1.43, the two kinds of sensors have high linear sensitivities of 1604 nm/RIU and 3978 nm/RIU, respectively.     

波长调制型表面等离子体共振的传感特性研究

表面等离子体共振(SPR)光学传感器能实现生物医学的快速、 无标记、 高精度检测,是生物化学分析的重要方法。 研制了基于波长调制型的Kretschmann结构表面等离子体共振(SPR)生物传感系统,研究了在体溶液传感方式下的传感性能。 利用不同浓度的乙醇和乙二醇溶液进行体溶液传感测试。 实验结果表明,在折射率低时共振波长对折射率变化响应的灵敏度低,但响应的线性度高;随着折射率增大,共振波长对折射率的响应变化的灵敏度提高。 在1.407 0～1.430 RIU折射率范围内,灵敏度高达11 487 nm·RIU-1。 传感器的共振波长的稳定性为0.213 8 nm,可分辨最小折射率趋近10-6 RIU。 所研制的波长调制型表面等离子共振传感器操作简单、 灵敏度高、 检测范围大,可实现浓度极低生物标记物的有效检测,在化学、 生物传感领域有重要的应用。     

Tuning the number of plasmon band in silver ellipsoidal nanoshell: refractive index sensing based on plasmon blending and splitting

Because of the geometric features of both rod and shell, dielectric-silver core–shell ellipsoidal nanostructure with 12–40 nm semi-major axis may bring forth four surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peaks at most. Theoretical calculations based on quasi-static approximation show that there is surrounding refractive index-dependent plasmon blending and splitting in the absorption spectra, which makes the number of plasmon band of the silver ellipsoidal nanoshell is tunable. The sensitivity of the plasmon blending and splitting to the surrounding refractive index may be improved by increasing the shell thickness, aspect ratio or core refractive index. This local refractive index dependent-plasmon blending and splitting presents a new sensing picture based on tuning the number of SPR absorption peaks.     

基于平面波导激励的修正长程表面波的传感器研究

为了解决传统的强度检测型波导激励的表面等离子体共振传感器灵敏度不高的缺点,研究平面波导激励的介质膜-金属-被测介质的可激发修正的长程表面等离子体波结构。采用离子交换的方法制备折射率可用费米函数拟合的平面波导,研究了离子交换时间对平面波导的模数及等效折射率等特性的影响,为激励波导的优化设计提供有效依据。采用制备的平面波导激励介质膜-金属-被测介质的非对称结构,研究金属材质、介质膜厚和金属膜厚等因素对修正的长程表面等离子体波特性的影响,对被测溶液的折射率进行检测。实验结果表明,其灵敏度为传统的强度检测型表面等离子体共振传感器的6倍,并且具有较好的线性关系。     

Design of a highly sensitive surface plasmon resonance sensor using aluminum-based diffraction grating

A highly-sensitive grating-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is proposed. The angular interrogation method has been used to study the performance of the sensor, and high sensitivity is obtained if the ?1st diffraction order is used to excite surface plasmon (SP). The sensitivity as well as the width of the SPR curves and reflective amplitude is considered for designing the sensor. Compared with the conventional gold (Au)-based or silver (Ag)-based SPR sensor, it is found that the aluminum (Al)-based sensor has the best performance. The oxidation problem of an Al-based SPR sensor has been addressed by coating it with an ultrathin gold film on the surface. Numerical simulations based on rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) show that the sensitivity of the optimized sensor is 245°/RIU (degree per refractive index unit).     

Simultaneous excitation of cavity resonance and surface plasmon resonance in Ag/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Ag layer structure

Simultaneous excitation of cavity resonance (CR) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was observed in the angular spectrum by substituting Ag/Al₂O₃/Ag layers for the metal film in a Kretschmann structure. Two reflective valleys, elicited respectively by CR and SPR, appeared at different positions in the angular spectrum. The former is the sum of enhanced transmission of CR and absorption of the metal, expressed in the reflection spectrum and extremely insensitive to the changes of the surface environment (refractive index). The latter behavior is like that when two metal films are stuck together: it has almost the same resonance depth and width, and is extremely sensitive to the changes of the surface environment. Moreover, two SPR peaks could be excited simultaneously at one angle but with different wavelengths in the frequency spectrum, which is not seen in traditional Kretschmann structures.     

A novel plasmonic refractive index sensor based on gold/silicon complementary grating structure

A novel complementary grating structure is proposed for plasmonic refractive index sensing due to its strong resonance at near-infrared wavelength.The reflection spectra and the electric field distributions are obtained via the finite-difference time-domain method.Numerical simulation results show that multiple surface plasmon resonance modes can be excited in this novel structure.Subsequently,one of the resonance modes shows appreciable potential in refractive index sensing due to its wide range of action with the environment of the analyte.After optimizing the grating geometric variables of the structure,the designed structure shows the stable sensing performance with a high refractive index sensitivity of 1642 nm per refractive index unit(nm/RIU)and the figure of merit of 409 RIU^-1.The promising simulation results indicate that such a sensor has a broad application prospect in biochemistry.     

基于十字连通形环形谐振腔金属-介质-金属波导的折射率传感器和滤波器

提出了由十字连通形环形谐振腔耦合两个金属-介质-金属(metal-insulator-metal, MIM)波导的结构,并用有限元法数值研究了表面等离极化激元在结构中的传输特性.通过对透射谱的研究,系统地分析了MIM结构的传感特性.结果表明,在透射光谱中有三个共振峰,即存在三种共振模式,其中透射峰与材料的折射率呈线性关系.通过对结构参数的优化,得到了折射率灵敏度(S)高达1500 nm/RIU的理论值,相应的传感分辨率为1.33×10~(-4)RIU.更重要的是,灵敏度不受结构参数变化的影响,这意味着传感器的灵敏度不受制造偏差的影响.此外,谐振波长与环形腔中心半径成线性关系,该器件在较大波长范围内实现可调谐带通滤波.透射强度随着波导与环形腔间距的增大而减小,透射带宽同时减小,因此,可以通过控制环形腔与波导的耦合距离来调谐透射强度及透射带宽.研究结果对高灵敏度纳米级折射率传感器和带通滤波器的设计以及在生物传感器方面的应用都具有一定的指导意义.     

混合溶液折射率对局域表面等离子体共振的影响

对水-二甲基亚砜二元混合溶液质量分数和温度与折射率的关系进行了理论和实验研究,对几种经典模型的拟合结果进行了比较,给出了适合水-二甲基亚砜混合溶液的经验公式。对水性金溶胶-二甲基亚砜混合溶液质量分数和温度对局域表面等离子体共振峰值波长的影响进行了理论和实验研究,结果表明:水性金溶胶-二甲基亚砜混合溶液质量分数对共振峰值波长的调节有较好的线性关系和较大的调节范围,当温度从20 ℃增大到60 ℃,混合溶液金溶胶的共振峰值波长增加了1367 pm,温度敏感度为34 pm/K,在0%~100%的质量分数范围内,混合溶液金溶胶的共振峰值波长平均产生8.5103 pm的增长。     

混合溶液折射率对局域表面等离子体共振的影响

对水-二甲基亚砜二元混合溶液质量分数和温度与折射率的关系进行了理论和实验研究,对几种经典模型的拟合结果进行了比较,给出了适合水-二甲基亚砜混合溶液的经验公式。对水性金溶胶-二甲基亚砜混合溶液质量分数和温度对局域表面等离子体共振峰值波长的影响进行了理论和实验研究,结果表明：水性金溶胶-二甲基亚砜混合溶液质量分数对共振峰值波长的调节有较好的线性关系和较大的调节范围,当温度从20 ℃增大到60 ℃,混合溶液金溶胶的共振峰值波长增加了1367 pm,温度敏感度为34 pm/K,在0%~100%的质量分数范围内,混合溶液金溶胶的共振峰值波长平均产生8.5103 pm的增长。     

High sensitivity refractive index gas sensing enhanced by surface plasmon resonance with nano-cavity antenna array

The surface plasmon resonance gas sensor is presented for refractive index detection using nano-cavity antenna array.The gas sensor monitors the changes of the refractive index by measuring the spectral shift of the resonance dip,for modulating the wavelength of incident light.It is demonstrated that minute changes in the refractive index of a medium close to the surface of a metal film,owing to a shift in the resonance dip of the wavelength,can be detected.The average detection sensitivity is about 3200 nm/RIU(refractive index units),which is more than twice that of a metal grating-based gas sensor.The reflectivity of the surface plasmon resonance dip is only ～ 0.03%,and the full widths at half maximum(FWHMs) of bandwidth of the angle and wavelength are ～ 0.20° and 4.71nm,respectively.     

Polarization detection analysis of dual-channel surface plasmon resonance sensing for silicone oils based on the D-shaped fiber with a central hole

We present and numerically characterize a dual channel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on a D-shaped fiber with a central hole for silicone oil detections. The proposed design incorporates two metalized channels to facilitate the simultaneous detection of one group of silicone oils, which can consist of two different species. It has been demonstrated that the p-polarized input light can induce two peaks among surface plasmon resonance places, which come from the coupling between the core-guided mode and the fundamental surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes at the D-shaped surface and around the central hole surface. However, the s-polarized input light can only induce one peak among surface plasmon resonance places, which comes from the coupling between the core-guided mode and the fundamental SPP mode around the central hole surface. The simulation results show that the characteristic responses of two channels independently correspond to the refractive index variations in the silicone oils with which they are in contact. A maximum sensitivity of 3500 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) and 4400 nm/RIU are achieved for channel A and B, respectively. This kind of sensor structure and polarization related demodulation method is promising in the simultaneous multi-analytes sensing applications in the future.     

Extraordinary optical transmission in the ultraviolet region through aluminum hole arrays

We investigated the extraordinary optical transmission phenomenon in the UV range by fabricating large-area, free-standing aluminum hole arrays using extreme UV interference lithography and shadow thermal evaporation. Transmission spectra show strong peaks in the UV region resulting from both surface plasmon polariton and localized surface plasmon excitations. The results indicate that the high plasmon frequency of Al is directly responsible for the presence of strong resonance peaks in the UV region, which supports the role of plasmonic phenomena in the extraordinary transmission. The simple fabrication method enables large-area production of such structures for research and industrial production purposes.     

Design of Highly Sensitive Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors Using Planar Metallic Films Closely Coupled to Nanogratings

We investigate the sensitivity enhancement of surface plasmon resonance （SPR） sensors using planar metallic films closely coupled to nanogratings. The strong coupling between localized surface plasmon resonances （LSPRs） presenting in metallic nanostructures and surface plasmon polaritons （SPPs） propagating at the metallic film surface leads to changes of resonance reflection properties, resulting in enhanced sensitivity of SPR sensors. The effects of thickness of the metallic films, grating period and metal materials on the refractive index sensitivity of the device are investigated. The refractive index sensitivity of nanograting-based SPR sensors is predicted to be about 543 nm/RIU （refractive index unit） using optimized structure parameters. Our study on SPR sensors using planar metallic films closely coupled to nanogratings demonstrates the potential for significant improvement in refractive index sensitivity.     

Numerical analysis of a photonic crystal fiber based on two polarized modes for biosensing applications

This paper presents a theoretical study on a photonic crystal fiber plasmonic refractive index biosensor. The proposed photonic crystal fiber sensor introduces the concept of simultaneous detection with the linearly polarized and radially polarized modes because the sensing performance of the sensor based on both modes is relatively high, which will be useful for selecting the modes to make the detection accurately. The sharp single resonant peaks of the linearly polarized mode and radially polarized mode, are stronger and more sensitive to the variation of analyte refractive index than that of any other polarized mode in this kind of photonic crystal fiber. For linearly polarized mode and radially polarized mode, the maximum sensitivities of 10448.5nm per refractive index unit and 8230.7nm per refractive index unit can be obtained, as well as 949.8 and 791.4 for figure of merits in the sensing range of 1.33-1.45, respectively. Compared with the conventional Au-metalized surface plasmon resonance sensors, our device is better and can be applied as a biosensor.     

基于Au/ITO纳米复合材料的自参照SPR传感器

利用Au/ITO纳米复合材料设计了一种自参照表面等离子体共振传感器.该传感器产生的光谱有两个共振峰,即共振峰1和共振峰2.共振峰1随着待测介质折射率和入射角的变化产生漂移,而共振峰2仅随入射角的变化产生漂移,两个共振峰相互参照,降低了入射角偏移对测量结果的影响,提高了测量的准确性.在纳米复合材料的4种不同体积分数下,仿真分析了入射角、待测介质折射率和薄膜厚度变化对两个共振波长的影响.在入射角θ为80°,且金的体积分数f为0.65,薄膜厚度d为40nm和45nm,或金的体积分数f为0.85,薄膜厚度d为45nm和50nm时,共振峰2不随待测介质折射率的变化而变化,只有共振峰1随待测介质折射率的变化而变化,达到自参照传感器的理想状态.     

反射式光纤表面等离子体波共振传感器特性研究

研究了一种基于表面等离子体波共振(SPR)光谱分析的折射率检测新方法。研究发现,表面等离子体波共振效应光谱特征的折射率灵敏度会随着液体性质变化而发生改变。根据折射率测量范围不同,分别选择共振波长和共振强度作为检测参量,实现理论折射率分辨力达到10~(-5)数量级以上。在理论分析和实验基础上,设计出一种基于共振光强检测的终端反射式光纤表面等离子体波共振效应传感系统,采用将传感信号和基准光信号的比值作为液体折射率变化的度量值。在1．3325～1．3991的折射率测量范围内,度量值与折射率之间呈现单调递减关系,线性相关系数为0．9983。通过定义耦合系数,还可实现对表面等离子体波共振效应效应强弱和变化趋势的评估。     

利用矩形金属周期阵列实现局域电场的增强和共振波长的可控

基于表面等离激元共振(SPR)的原理,设计了一种具有矩形凹槽周期阵列微结构的金属增强基底。利用有限元方法对基底表面附近电场的分布进行了理论模拟分析,结果表明在SPR共振情况下,其凹槽微结构坑口处可得到强局域场,局域电场强度E_max／E₀可达20。通过改变结构的周期、凹槽长度l、宽度w以及环境介质,SPR共振峰发生规律性的移动,波长覆盖范围为500～1 000 nm。入射光沿x方向偏振的情况下,随着结构x方向周期P_x的增加,SPR共振峰明显红移。当入射光波长与P_x相当时,观察到凹槽内局域电场突然减小的现象。这是由于满足了波矢匹配条件,传播型SPP被激发导致的。改变凹槽长度l,发现共振波长随l的增加红移,近似呈线性关系。环境介质折射率的增加也会引起共振峰的红移。而凹槽宽度w的增加将导致其蓝移。这种规律性的移动为实现共振波长的调控提供了途径。受Jain研究报道的启发,矩形凹槽结构可以等效为两对偶极耦合模型的组合,从而解释SPR共振峰随结构参数变化而发生的移动。     

Photonic crystal fiber sensor based on hybrid mechanisms: Plasmonic and directional resonance coupling

We propose a special refractive index sensor design based on a photonic crystal fiber. Two analyte channels are introduced, with one analyte channel coated with gold layer and the other one without gold layer. A hybrid resonance method is used in the sensor to achieve a large dynamic index range, where surface plasmon resonance occurs when the analyte index is lower than that of the fiber material, while the core mode couples with the resonant mode of the adjacent analyte-filled cylinder when the analyte index is larger than the fiber material. When considering fluorinated polymer fibers, a broad index range of analyte refractive index from 1.25 to 1.45 with high sensitivity can be achieved. The maximal sensitivities reach 1.4 × 10⁴ nm/RIU and 2.7 × 10⁴ nm/RIU respectively when refractive index is in the range of 1.25 to 1.383 and 1.383 to 1.45. The sensor characteristics, make this simple sensor very interesting for detecting a wide range of fluid's refractive index or chemical agent concentration.     

Symmetric surface plasmon resonance sensing structure excited by a planar waveguide

In this paper, we describe a novel waveguide surface plasmon resonance sensing structure, which consists of a symmetric structure and a planar waveguide. The core component is the symmetric structure of the metal layer, tested sample, and metal layer. The refractive index matching condition of this structure can be adjusted through the thickness of the sample. The planar waveguide is used to excite the surface plasmon wave, and then the parameters are tested and analyzed. The surface plasmon wave is excited when glycerin solutions with concentrations of 0%–70% are used to detect at thicknesses of 300 and 500 nm. The problem that the effective refractive index of the ion exchange planar waveguide is large and using this index to excite the surface plasmon wave between the metal and dielectric for detection is difficult to achieve can be countered by appropriately choosing the thickness of the dielectric in order to be able to measure different refractive indices.