Sensitivity Mapping of a Terahertz Split-Ring Resonator Metasurface for Local Microplastic Detection in Water:...

Conventional vibrational spectroscopy provides chemically specific identification of microplastics but often requires extensive sample preparation and particle-by-particle analysis. This study numerically examines a terahertz split-ring resonator (SRR) metasurface as a transducer for local dielectric perturbations in water. A finite-element model was used to quantify the spatial response of the active gap. A 5 × 5 sensitivity map yielded frequency shifts of 0.37-0.97 GHz for equivalent local polystyrene perturbations, with maxima at the gap corners, consistent with simulated field localization. An equal-volume shape study compared a spherical inclusion (Δf = 4.34 GHz) with ellipsoids of identical volume and constant height; shifts of 4.25-4.56 GHz demonstrated dependence on in-plane orientation. At the highest-sensitivity cell, shifts of 1.12, 0.97, 0.69, 0.25, and 0.24 GHz were obtained for PE, PS, PET, and two synthetic high-permittivity references, respectively. For three four-corner configurations, the observed shifts agreed with reference-cell estimates within 1.4%. The results identify positional, dielectric, and geometric factors that should be controlled in future microfluidic preconcentration and hybrid-sensing experiments.