Open AccessSurface plasmon interferometer in silicon-on-insulator: novel concept for an integrated biosensor: Comment
Author(s) -
R. Levy,
S. Ruschin
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.013649
Subject(s) - interferometry , optics , surface plasmon , radiation , interference (communication) , silicon on insulator , waveguide , materials science , sensitivity (control systems) , plasmon , biosensor , optoelectronics , silicon , surface plasmon polariton , physics , electronic engineering , telecommunications , nanotechnology , computer science , channel (broadcasting) , engineering
We discuss inaccuracies associated with neglecting radiation modes in the calculation of waveguide mode propagation and sensitivity in "Surface plasmon interferometer in silicon-on-insulator: novel concept for an integrated biosensor" [Opt. Express 14, 7063-7072 (2006)]. Numeric calculation shows that due to the short length of the proposed waveguide structure, radiation modes cannot be ignored. When radiation modes are added to the calculation, sensitivity values decrease from above 10,000 dB/RIU to below 1000 dB/RIU. The influence of the radiation modes in such a short structure is due to the recapture of optical power from radiation modes by the output guide, thus reducing the contrast in the interference and the sensitivity.