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Determination of the Excitation and Coupling Rates Between Light Emitters and Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Published on: July 21, 2018
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Straight Long-Range Surface Plasmon Polariton Waveguide Sensor Operating at l0 = 850 nm
1State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, College of Electronic Science & Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 2, 2020
Summary
A novel refractive index sensor using a straight long-range surface plasmon polariton (LRSPP) waveguide was designed and fabricated. This sensor achieves high sensitivity for potential portable, low-cost refractometer applications.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics
- Nanophotonics
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) offer unique light-matter interactions for sensing.
- Long-range SPPs (LRSPPs) enable enhanced propagation distances, crucial for device sensitivity.
- Developing sensitive and cost-effective refractive index sensors is vital for various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically design a bulk refractive index sensor utilizing a straight LRSPP waveguide.
- To optimize the waveguide's geometric parameters for maximum sensitivity.
- To experimentally validate the sensor's feasibility and performance.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical design of a gold (Au) stripe embedded in SU-8 polymer LRSPP waveguide.
- Optimization of geometric parameters using the finite difference eigenmode method at 850 nm wavelength.
- Fabrication via a double layer lift-off process and characterization of optical transmission.
Main Results:
- Achieved a theoretical sensitivity of 196 dB/RIU/mm for a 1.5 μm wide, 25 nm thick Au stripe waveguide.
- Successfully fabricated straight LRSPP waveguides.
- Experimental characterization confirmed the feasibility of the proposed sensor design.
Conclusions:
- The designed LRSPP waveguide sensor demonstrates high sensitivity for refractive index sensing.
- The fabrication process is viable, paving the way for practical sensor realization.
- This technology holds promise for developing portable and affordable refractometers.
