Hybridization of surface plasmons and photonic crystal resonators for high-sensitivity and high-resolution sensing applications

Abstract

In this paper, an optical refractive index (RI) sensor based on a hybrid plasmonic-photonic crystal (P-PhC) is designed. In the sensor’s structure, some metallic rods are embedded in a rod-type photonic crystal (PhC) structure. Numerical simulations are performed based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The obtained results illustrate that the localized surface plasmons (LSP) induced by metallic rods can be excited in a PhC lattice to generate a hybrid P-PhC mode. According to the results, the hybrid mode provides unique opportunities. Using metallic rods in the coupling regions between waveguides and the resonant cavity significantly increases the interaction of the optical field and analyte inside the cavity. The simulation results reveal that high sensitivity of 1672 nm/RIU and an excellent figure of merit (FoM) of 2388 RIU−1 are obtained for the proposed hybrid P-PhC sensor. These values are highest compared to the purely plasmonic and or purely PhC sensors reported in the literature. The proposed sensor could simultaneously enhance sensitivity and FoM values. Therefore, the proposed hybrid P-PhC RI sensor is a more fascinating candidate for high-sensitivity and high-resolution sensing applications at optic communication wavelengths.

Plasmonic-photonic crystal hybrid devices for optical characterization

“…Calculations demonstrated that the hybrid mode enhanced the interaction between the optical field and analyte. The hybrid cavity was a good candidate for sensing applications [65,66]. Lu et al proposed to apply the plasmonic-photonic hybrid cavity as singlephoton blockade (1PD).…”

Stongly Confined Electromagnetic Waves in a Hybrid Photonic–Plasmonic Resonator for Enhancing Light–Matter Interaction

“…For instance, an optical refractive index sensor based on a photonic crystal structure integrated with metallic nanorods was shown to outperform the pure plasmonic or photonic crystal sensors as the localized surface plasmons increase the interaction of the optical field and the matter inside the cavity. This situation enhances the sensitivity and figure of merit of the device [31]. In another study, the synergetic coupling between the plasmonic field and the photonic crystal waveguide mode in a refractive index sensor was also revealed to offer an excellent potential to be used in sensing applications; the device was based on hybrid topology of photonic crystal and nested circular metallic split-ring resonator [32].…”

Numerical analysis of a highly sensitive SOI MRR refractive index sensor with performance enhancement using graphene and gold

“…Some configurations of these types of plasmonic sensors include an elliptical resonator [ 31 ], an H-shaped cavities refractive index sensor [ 32 ], and a plasmonic metal-based sensor structure that is coupled with an aperture to the concentric square disc and ring resonator [ 33 ]. Recent theoretical studies have studied a high-sensitivity plasmonic refractive index sensor for bio-chemical detection, with SPPs induced by the gold nano-disc and Si ring resonator interaction [ 34 ]. Fei et al and Chen et al present their works based on multiple Fano resonances in a plasmonic waveguide resonator system with a nanorod-defect [ 35 ] and MIM waveguide system coupled with a resonator structure [ 33 ], respectively.…”