Optimizing Stability and Performance of Silver-Based Grating Structures for Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors.

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optics

Background:

• Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors offer sensitive, label-free detection.
• Developing stable plasmonic structures is crucial for reliable biosensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on a grating coupler for SPR studies using silver on silicon oxide technology.
• To create long-term stable plasmonic structures for biological molecule sensing.
• To optimize structural parameters for enhanced sensor reliability and sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• Simulated structural parameters and optimized the model based on experimental results.
• Fabricated optimized grating nanostructures on an oxidized silicon wafer.
• Characterized nanostructures using optical setup and scanning electron microscopy.

Main Results:

• Achieved a highest sensitivity of 128.85°/RIU.
• Demonstrated coverage of the relevant refractive index range (1.32-1.46) for biological samples.
• Validated the reliability of the simulation model through experimental data.

Conclusions:

• The developed grating coupler enables stable SPR sensing for biological molecules.
• Optimized silver on silicon oxide nanostructures provide high sensitivity and reliability.
• This technology advances label-free analytical devices for biosensing.