Design and Optimization of Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Micro–Nano Symmetrical Localized Surface

Abstract

Surface Plasma resonance (SPR) sensors combined with biological receptors are widely used in biosensors. Due to limitations of measurement techniques, small-scale, low accuracy, and sensitivity to the refractive index of solution in traditional SPR prism sensor arise. As a consequence, it is difficult to launch commercial production of SPR sensors. The theory of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) developed based on SPR theory has stronger coupling ability to near-field photons. Based on the LSPR sensing theory, we propose a submicron-sized golden-disk and graphene composite structure. By varying the thickness and diameter of the array disk, the performance of the LSPR sensor can be optimized. A graphene layer sandwiched between the golden-disk and the silver film can prevent the latter from oxidizing. Symmetrical design enables high-low concentration of dual-channel distributed sensing. As the fixed light source, we use a 632.8-nm laser. A golden nano-disk with 45 nm thickness and 70 nm radius is designed, using a finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation system. When the incident angle is 42°, the figure of merit (FOM) reaches 8826, and the measurable refractive index range reaches 0.2317.