Implementation and phase detection of dielectric-grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance sensor for backside incident light

IP-Dip-Based SPR Structure for Refractive Index Sensing of Liquid Analytes

In this paper, we present a two-dimensional surface plasmon resonance structure for refractive index sensing of liquid analytes. The polymer structure was designed with a period of 500 nm and prepared in a novel IP-Dip polymer by direct laser writing lithography based on a mechanism of two-photon absorption. The sample with a set of prepared IP-Dip structures was coated by 40 nm thin gold layer. The sample was encapsulated into a prototyped chip with inlet and outlet. The sensing properties were investigated by angular measurement using the prepared solutions of isopropyl alcohol in deionized water of different concentrations. Sensitivity of 478-617 nm per refractive index unit was achieved in angular arrangement at external angle of incidence of 20°.

Grating-Coupled Surface Plasmon-Polariton Sensing at a Flat Metal-Analyte Interface in a Hybrid-Configuration

Surface plasmon resonance-based sensors have emerged as commercially fostering portable biodetectors. The scientific community is engaged in extensive research to improve their performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility for the recognition of specific biomolecules. Essentially, there is a need for miniaturizing the size of existing sensors with innovative designs without compromising their bioaffinity and sensitivity performance. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a grating-coupled surface plasmon polariton (SPP) sensor on a thin flat gold layer using a hybrid configuration. The proof of concept of the grating architecture has been realized through an innovative fabrication procedure, with experimental verification of its bulk sensitivity. The geometry is identical to the prism-coupling configuration, yet with miniaturization and compactness. Characteristics of the excited modes in the spectral regime of interest are investigated using the finite-difference time-domain simulations. The effective index calculation of the resonance conditions and the accompanying field distribution can identify the excited SPP and metal-assisted guided-mode resonance modes. Detailed probing of the electric field distribution of the desired SPP mode reveals an extended evanescent decay length of 1284 nm, close to the theoretical limit, and an extended propagation length of 270 μm. The experimental demonstration of the reflectance dip with two different analyte media perceived an increased bulk sensitivity of 1133 nm/RIU. Remarkably, this resonant mode exhibits sensing capabilities for a wide range of analyte refractive indexes. We believe that the fabricated configuration with observed high sensitivity and calculated ultradeep evanescent field penetration depth along with extended propagation length can lead to the designing of a hands-on biochip for detecting large biomolecules.

Shift of the surface plasmon polariton interference pattern in symmetrical arc slit structures and its application to Rayleigh metallic particle trapping

In symmetric nano/micro metal slit structures, interference patterns are produced by counter-propagating surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in the the center of structures, which can be employed to improve the resolution of microscopy and surface etching and to realize particle trapping. This paper focuses on the shift of the SPP interference patterns in the symmetric arc slit structures. The excitation models with one incident beam and two incident beams are established and analyzed respectively, and methods to shift the SPP interference patterns via adjusting the tilt angle and initial phase of the excitation beams are compared. The FDTD simulation results show that these methods can precisely shift the SPP interference patterns in the symmetrical arc slits. Compared to the linear slits, the SPP waves arising from arc slits are more strongly focused, resulting in a stronger gradient force. The characteristics of stronger focus and dynamic shifting of the focal spot give the symmetric arc slit structure unique advantages in the capture and transfer of the Rayleigh metallic particle.

Ultrahigh-sensitive plasmonic sensing of gas using a two-dimensional dielectric grating

We demonstrate an ultrahigh-sensitive plasmonic sensing of gas, employing a two-dimensional (2D) dielectric grating fabricated by laser interference lithography. The 2D grating was designed with the period of 500 nm and prepared in an AZ1505 photoresist layer on a gold film of 20 nm thickness deposited on a fused silica glass substrate. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the Kretschmann configuration with spectral interrogation was utilized to measure the response of the sensor to vapors of aqueous solution of ethanol. Based on measurement of the gas refractive indices with the reference Au/Cr/SF10 sample, the resonance wavelength dependence was obtained. The SPR response of the structure in a spectral range of 1.68-1.85 µm with a sensitivity of 8200-111,000 nm/RIU was revealed. The sensor provides significantly higher sensitivity in comparison to conventional and grating-based SPR sensors.

Electrical detection SPR sensor with grating coupled backside illumination

A current detection surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor with an Au grating on an n-Si wafer was proposed. SPR excitation light is illuminated from the backside of the device and diffracted by the grating. Since the diffraction provides matching conditions, SPR can be coupled to the Au/analyte interface. Since the coupled SPR excites free electrons on the Au surface, the SPR can be detected as a current signal by a Schottky barrier diode formed on the Au/n-Si interface. The obtained angular current spectrum showed clear agreement with SPR coupling theory, thereby confirming that the sample on the Au surface can be electrically detected using the proposed sensor.