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Enhancing the Angular Sensitivity of Plasmonic Sensors Using Hyperbolic Metamaterials.
Kandammathe Valiyaveedu Sreekanth1, Yunus Alapan2, Mohamed ElKabbash1
1Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, 10600 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Advanced Optical Materials
|June 27, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a novel grating coupled-hyperbolic metamaterial (GC-HMM) sensor achieving unprecedented angular sensitivity for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensing. The advanced sensor enables ultra-low concentration detection of various biomolecules for next-generation diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors are crucial for label-free biosensing.
- Current SPR sensors utilize prism or grating coupling with spectral or angular scans.
- Angular scan SPR offers higher precision but has limited sensitivity (500°-600°/RIU).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a grating coupled-hyperbolic metamaterial (GC-HMM) sensor with enhanced angular sensitivity.
- To demonstrate the sensor's capability for detecting biomolecules at ultralow concentrations.
- To explore the potential for integrating the sensor into microfluidic systems for point-of-care applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of grating coupled-hyperbolic metamaterial (GC-HMM) structures.
- Utilizing angular scan interrogation to measure bulk plasmon polaritons.
- Experimental validation across visible to near-infrared wavelengths.
Main Results:
- Achieved extraordinary angular sensitivities up to 7000°/RIU, significantly exceeding current SPR sensors.
- Successfully detected low molecular weight (biotin) and high molecular weight (CPMV) biomolecules at ultralow concentrations.
- Demonstrated the potential for miniaturization and integration with microfluidic systems.
Conclusions:
- The GC-HMM sensor represents a significant advancement in SPR biosensing technology.
- The high angular sensitivity enables ultra-sensitive detection of diverse biomolecules.
- This technology holds promise for developing next-generation lab-on-a-chip and point-of-care diagnostic devices.
