Open AccessEnhanced sensitivity in injection-molded guided-mode-resonance sensors via low-index cavity layers
Author(s) -
Yi-Fan Ku,
Hsun-Yuan Li,
WenHsin Hsieh,
Lai-Kwan Chau,
GuoEn Chang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.014850
Subject(s) - materials science , sensitivity (control systems) , refractive index , layer (electronics) , optics , optoelectronics , resonance (particle physics) , guided mode resonance , biosensor , substrate (aquarium) , waveguide , electronic engineering , composite material , nanotechnology , wavelength , oceanography , physics , particle physics , geology , engineering , diffraction grating
We present an investigation on the use of low-index cavity layers to enhance the sensitivity of injection-molded guided-mode resonance (GMR) sensors. By adjusting the sputtering parameters, a low-index cavity layer is created at the interface between the waveguide layer and the substrate. Refractive index measurements show that a sensitivity enhancement of up to 220% is achieved with a cavity layer, in comparison to a reference GMR sensor without a cavity layer. Finite-element-method simulations were performed, and the results indicate that the cavities significantly redistribute the resonance mode profile and thus enhances the sensitivity. The present investigation demonstrates a new method for enhancing the sensitivity of injection-molded GMR sensors for high-sensitivity label-free biosensing.