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Refractive index sensor based on graphene-coated photonic surface-wave resonance
Optics Letters
|February 15, 2018
Summary
We developed a graphene-coated photonic system using Bloch surface waves (BSWs) for enhanced refractive index sensing. This system achieves high sensitivity by boosting graphene absorption through BSWs, offering a promising tool for optical sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Materials Science
- Sensing Technologies
Background:
- Bloch surface waves (BSWs) are electromagnetic surface waves supported by photonic crystals.
- Graphene exhibits unique optical properties making it suitable for sensing applications.
- Refractive index sensing relies on detecting changes in the optical properties of a medium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and investigate a graphene-coated photonic system for enhanced refractive index sensing.
- To leverage Bloch surface waves (BSWs) for improved sensitivity in optical sensing.
- To explore the relationship between system parameters and sensing performance.
Main Methods:
- Excitation of Bloch surface waves (BSWs) in a truncated photonic crystal using a Kretschmann configuration.
- Enhancement of graphene monolayer absorption via strong electromagnetic confinement of BSWs.
- Theoretical analysis using first-order perturbation theory and transfer-matrix calculations.
Main Results:
- Achieved significantly enhanced absorption in graphene due to BSWs.
- Demonstrated high sensitivity in optical sensing, attributed to sharp reflectivity dips and strong wave-environment interaction.
- Identified key parameters influencing sensitivity: electric field energy ratio, wavelength, and incident angle.
- Reported wavelength sensitivity of 7023 nm/RIU and a figure of merit of 196.44 for the optimized system.
Conclusions:
- The proposed graphene-coated BSW system offers highly sensitive refractive index sensing.
- System performance is tunable by optimizing electric field energy distribution, wavelength, and incident angle.
- Generalized BSW configurations, including aperiodic designs, are viable for advanced refractive index sensing.
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