Research

10 pages, 3880 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hybrid Metasurface Based Tunable Near-Perfect Absorber and Plasmonic Sensor

by Ahmmed A. Rifat, Mohsen Rahmani, Lei Xu and Andrey E. Miroshnichenko

Materials 2018, 11(7), 1091; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11071091 - 27 Jun 2018

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 6618

We propose a hybrid metasurface-based perfect absorber which shows the near-unity absorbance and facilities to work as a refractive index sensor. We have used the gold mirror to prevent the transmission and used the amorphous silicon (a-Si) nanodisk arrays on top of the [...] Read more.

We propose a hybrid metasurface-based perfect absorber which shows the near-unity absorbance and facilities to work as a refractive index sensor. We have used the gold mirror to prevent the transmission and used the amorphous silicon (a-Si) nanodisk arrays on top of the gold mirror which helps to excite the surface plasmon by scattering light through it at the normal incident. We numerically investigated the guiding performance. The proposed absorber is polarization independent and shows a maximum absorption of 99.8% at a 932 nm wavelength in the air medium. Considering the real applications, by varying the environments refractive indices from 1.33 to 1.41, the proposed absorber can maintain absorption at more than 99.7%, with a red shift of the resonant wavelength. Due to impedance matching of the electric and magnetic dipoles, the proposed absorber shows near-unity absorbance over the refractive indices range of 1.33 to 1.41, with a zero-reflectance property at a certain wavelength. This feature could be utilized as a plasmonic sensor in detecting the refractive index of the surrounding medium. The proposed plasmonic sensor shows an average sensitivity of 325 nm/RIU and a maximum sensitivity of 350 nm/RIU over the sensing range of 1.33 to 1.41. The proposed metadevice possesses potential applications in solar photovoltaic and photodetectors, as well as in organic and bio-chemical detection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Crystals for Chemical Sensing and Biosensing)

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11 pages, 2222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of Ethanol Evaporation on Free-Standing Porous Silicon Photonic Microcavities

by María Del Rayo Jiménez Vivanco, Godofredo García, Rafael Doti, Jocelyn Faubert and Jesus Eduardo Lugo Arce

Materials 2018, 11(6), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11060894 - 26 May 2018

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3442

Abstract

In this work, we have followed ethanol evaporation at two different concentrations using a fiber optic spectrometer and a screen capture application with a resolving capacity of 10 ms. The transmission spectra are measured in the visible-near-infrared range with a resolution of 0.5 [...] Read more.

In this work, we have followed ethanol evaporation at two different concentrations using a fiber optic spectrometer and a screen capture application with a resolving capacity of 10 ms. The transmission spectra are measured in the visible-near-infrared range with a resolution of 0.5 nm. Porous Silicon microcavities were fabricated by electrochemistry etching of crystalline silicon. The microcavities were designed to have a localized mode at 472 nm (blue band). Ethanol infiltration produces a redshift of approximately 17 nm. After a few minutes, a phase change from liquid to vapor occurs and the localized wavelength shifts back to the blue band. This process happens in a time window of only 60 ms. Our results indicate a difference between two distinct ethanol concentrations (70% and 35%). For the lower ethanol concentration, the blue shift rate process is slower in the first 30 ms and then it equals the high ethanol concentration blue shift rate. We have repeated the same process, but in an extended mode (750 nm), and have obtained similar results. Our results show that these photonic structures and with the spectroscopic technique used here can be implemented as a sensor with sufficient sensitivity and selectivity. Finally, since the photonic structure is a membrane, it can also be used as a transducer. For instance, by placing this photonic structure on top of a fast photodetector whose photo-response lies within the same bandwidth, the optical response can be transferred to an electrical signal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Crystals for Chemical Sensing and Biosensing)

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11 pages, 3281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of the External Signal Modulation Waveform and Frequency on the Performance of a Photonic Forced Oscillator

by Noemi Sánchez-Castro, Martha Alicia Palomino-Ovando, Denise Estrada-Wiese, Nydia Xcaret Valladares, Jesus Antonio Del Río, Maria Beatriz De la Mora, Rafael Doti, Jocelyn Faubert and Jesus Eduardo Lugo

Materials 2018, 11(5), 854; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11050854 - 21 May 2018

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4126

Abstract

Photonic crystals have been an object of interest because of their properties to inhibit certain wavelengths and allow the transmission of others. Using these properties, we designed a photonic structure known as photodyne formed by two porous silicon one-dimensional photonic crystals with an [...] Read more.

Photonic crystals have been an object of interest because of their properties to inhibit certain wavelengths and allow the transmission of others. Using these properties, we designed a photonic structure known as photodyne formed by two porous silicon one-dimensional photonic crystals with an air defect between them. When the photodyne is illuminated with appropriate light, it allows us to generate electromagnetic forces within the structure that can be maximized if the light becomes localized inside the defect region. These electromagnetic forces allow the microcavity to oscillate mechanically. In the experiment, a chopper was driven by a signal generator to modulate the laser light that was used. The driven frequency and the signal modulation waveform (rectangular, sinusoidal or triangular) were changed with the idea to find optimal conditions for the structure to oscillate. The microcavity displacement amplitude, velocity amplitude and Fourier spectrum of the latter and its frequency were measured by means of a vibrometer. The mechanical oscillations are modeled and compared with the experimental results and show good agreement. For external frequency values of 5 Hz and 10 Hz, the best option was a sinusoidal waveform, which gave higher photodyne displacements and velocity amplitudes. Nonetheless, for an external frequency of 15 Hz, the best option was the rectangular waveform. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Crystals for Chemical Sensing and Biosensing)

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10 pages, 2698 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultraviolet Laser Lithography of Titania Photonic Crystals for Terahertz-Wave Modulation

by Soshu Kirihara, Koki Nonaka, Shoichiro Kisanuki, Hirotoshi Nozaki and Keito Sakaguchi

Materials 2018, 11(5), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11050835 - 18 May 2018

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3142

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) microphotonic crystals with a diamond structure composed of titania microlattices were fabricated using ultraviolet laser lithography, and the bandgap properties in the terahertz (THz) electromagnetic-wave frequency region were investigated. An acrylic resin paste with titania fine particle dispersions was used as [...] Read more.

Three-dimensional (3D) microphotonic crystals with a diamond structure composed of titania microlattices were fabricated using ultraviolet laser lithography, and the bandgap properties in the terahertz (THz) electromagnetic-wave frequency region were investigated. An acrylic resin paste with titania fine particle dispersions was used as the raw material for additive manufacturing. By scanning a spread paste surface with an ultraviolet laser beam, two-dimensional solid patterns were dewaxed and sintered. Subsequently, 3D structures with a relative density of 97% were created via layer lamination and joining. A titania diamond lattice with a lattice constant density of 240 µm was obtained. The properties of the electromagnetic wave were measured using a THz time-domain spectrometer. In the transmission spectra for the Γ-X <100> direction, a forbidden band was observed from 0.26 THz to 0.44 THz. The frequency range of the bandgap agreed well with calculated results obtained using the plane–wave expansion method. Additionally, results of a simulation via transmission-line modeling indicated that a localized mode can be obtained by introducing a plane defect between twinned diamond lattice structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Crystals for Chemical Sensing and Biosensing)

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10 pages, 15844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microstructured Waveguides with Polyelectrolyte-Stabilized Gold Nanostars for SERS Sensing of Dissolved Analytes

by Daniil N. Bratashov, Natalia A. Burmistrova, Sergey D. Bondarenko, Boris N. Khlebtsov, Vsevolod S. Atkin, Andrey A. Shuvalov, Anastasiya A. Zanishevskaya, Yulia S. Skibina and Irina Y. Goryacheva

Materials 2018, 11(5), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11050734 - 05 May 2018

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3482

Abstract

A sensor based on microstructured waveguides (MWGs) with a hollow core inner surface covered with polyelectrolyte-layer-stabilized gold nanostars was developed for the SERS sensing of dissolved analytes. A polyelectrolyte-layer coating over the inner surface of glass cladding served as a spacer, reducing nonlinear [...] Read more.

A sensor based on microstructured waveguides (MWGs) with a hollow core inner surface covered with polyelectrolyte-layer-stabilized gold nanostars was developed for the SERS sensing of dissolved analytes. A polyelectrolyte-layer coating over the inner surface of glass cladding served as a spacer, reducing nonlinear optical effects in the glass near plasmonic hotspots of nanoparticles, as a stabilizing agent for thermodynamically unstable gold nanostars and as an optical coating for the fine-tuning of MWG bandgaps. This approach can be used to construct different kinds of SERS sensors for dissolved analytes, providing conservation, the prevention of coagulation, and the drying of a liquid sample for the time required to record the signal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Crystals for Chemical Sensing and Biosensing)

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8 pages, 32676 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Evanescent Properties of Optical Diffraction from 2-Dimensional Hexagonal Photonic Crystals and Their Sensor Applications

by Yu-Yang Liao, Yung-Tsan Chen, Chien-Chun Chen and Jian-Jang Huang

Materials 2018, 11(4), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11040549 - 03 Apr 2018

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3375

Abstract

The sensitivity of traditional diffraction grating sensors is limited by the spatial resolution of the measurement setup. Thus, a large space is required to improve sensor performance. Here, we demonstrate a compact hexagonal photonic crystal (PhC) optical sensor with high sensitivity. PhCs are [...] Read more.

The sensitivity of traditional diffraction grating sensors is limited by the spatial resolution of the measurement setup. Thus, a large space is required to improve sensor performance. Here, we demonstrate a compact hexagonal photonic crystal (PhC) optical sensor with high sensitivity. PhCs are able to diffract optical beams to various angles in azimuthal space. The critical wavelength that satisfies the phase matching or becomes evanescent was used to benchmark the refractive index of a target analyte applied on a PhC sensor. Using a glucose solution as an example, our sensor demonstrated very high sensitivity and a low limit of detection. This shows that the diffraction mechanism of hexagonal photonic crystals can be used for sensors when compact size is a concern. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Crystals for Chemical Sensing and Biosensing)

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12 pages, 30451 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Diatomite Photonic Crystals for Facile On-Chip Chromatography and Sensing of Harmful Ingredients from Food

by Xianming Kong, Qian Yu, Erwen Li, Rui Wang, Qing Liu and Alan X. Wang

Materials 2018, 11(4), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11040539 - 31 Mar 2018

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 6111

Abstract

Diatomaceous earth—otherwise called diatomite—is essentially composed of hydrated biosilica with periodic nanopores. Diatomite is derived from fossilized remains of diatom frustules and possesses photonic-crystal features. In this paper, diatomite simultaneously functions as the matrix of the chromatography plate and the substrate for surface-enhanced [...] Read more.

Diatomaceous earth—otherwise called diatomite—is essentially composed of hydrated biosilica with periodic nanopores. Diatomite is derived from fossilized remains of diatom frustules and possesses photonic-crystal features. In this paper, diatomite simultaneously functions as the matrix of the chromatography plate and the substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), by which the photonic crystal-features could enhance the optical field intensity. The on-chip separation performance of the device was confirmed by separating and detecting industrial dye (Sudan I) in an artificial aqueous mixture containing 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA), where concentrated plasmonic Au colloid was casted onto the analyte spot for SERS measurement. The plasmonic-photonic hybrid mode between the Au nanoparticles (NP) and the diatomite layer could supply nearly 10 times the increment of SERS signal (MBA) intensity compared to the common silica gel chromatography plate. Furthermore, this lab-on-a-chip photonic crystal device was employed for food safety sensing in real samples and successfully monitored histamine in salmon and tuna. This on-chip food sensor can be used as a cheap, robust, and portable sensing platform for monitoring for histamine or other harmful ingredients at trace levels in food products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Crystals for Chemical Sensing and Biosensing)

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11 pages, 19479 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Optical Biosensors Based on Photonic Crystals Supporting Bound States in the Continuum

by Silvia Romano, Annalisa Lamberti, Mariorosario Masullo, Erika Penzo, Stefano Cabrini, Ivo Rendina and Vito Mocella

Materials 2018, 11(4), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11040526 - 30 Mar 2018

Cited by 95 | Viewed by 6506

Abstract

A novel optical label-free bio-sensing platform based on a new class of resonances supported in a photonic crystal metasurface is reported herein. Molecular binding is detected as a shift in the resonant wavelength of the bound states in the continuum of radiation modes. [...] Read more.

A novel optical label-free bio-sensing platform based on a new class of resonances supported in a photonic crystal metasurface is reported herein. Molecular binding is detected as a shift in the resonant wavelength of the bound states in the continuum of radiation modes. The new configuration is applied to the recognition of the interaction between protein p53 and its protein regulatory partner murine double minute 2 (MDM2). A detection limit of 66 nM for the protein p53 is found. The device provides an excellent interrogation stability and loss-free operation, requires minimal optical interrogation equipment and can be easily optimized to work in a wide wavelength range. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photonic Crystals for Chemical Sensing and Biosensing)

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