Design and Optimization of Silver Nanostructured Arrays in Plasmonic Metamaterials for Sensitive Imaging Applications

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this article the authors present an in-depth exploration of plasmonic metamaterials, focusing on the design and optimization of silver (Ag) nanostructured arrays. These are tailored to enhance imaging sensitivity, utilizing Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations to compare various Ag nanostructured geometries like nanospheres, nanocones, nanodisks, and nanocubes.

1)       Given the extensive research in plasmonic metamaterials, the authors should highlight better the novelty of their work.

2)      The authors should discuss better how the specific insights gained from their study regarding nanocube arrays could influence future designs of plasmonic devices.

3)      Are there specific aspects of nanostructure optimization that warrant deeper exploration to further enhance the capabilities of plasmonic metamaterials in imaging applications?

4)      In this paper on the optimization of silver nanostructured arrays for enhanced imaging sensitivity, it would be beneficial to discuss other potential applications of these structures, particularly in the context of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS).

see for example

a)       Graphene oxide on magnetron sputtered silver thin films for SERS and metamaterial applications,

Applied Surface Science, Volume 427, Part B, 2018, Pages 927-933, ISSN 0169-4332, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2017.09.059.

 

b)      Preparation and SERS performance of silver nanowires arrays on paper by automatic writing method,

Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, Volume 281, 2022,  121580,

ISSN 1386-1425

 

c)        Gahlaut, Shashank K., Anisha Pathak, and Banshi D. Gupta. 2022. "Recent Advances in Silver Nanostructured Substrates for Plasmonic Sensors" Biosensors 12, no. 9: 713. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios12090713

 

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

moderate revision 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This submission deals with the design and optimization of a plasmonic metamaterial for sensing applications. The metamaterial is composed of silver nanostructure arrays which support the formation of localized surface plasmon modes for field enhancement. This leads to sensitive extinction spectra that can be leveraged for sensing. A parametric study is performed based on numerical simulations, which studies the effect of shape, gap distance, height, etc. The results are also verified by FDTD simulations. The scattering properties and extinction spectra are further calculated and discussed. The impact of different parameters is compared extensively. Overall, the manuscript is clearly written and easy to follow. The results appear valid and are supported by numerical simulations. I have a few questions for the authors to clarify.

1) While the authors propose self-assembly as a potential fabrication technique and provided some evidence, I still doubt its feasibility, given the requirements on the geometric parameters.

2) There are two dashed lines in Fig. 1b, which one corresponds to the results shown in Fig. 1d? I suppose it is the vertical one, please clarify.

3) At what wavelength is the electric field distribution plotted in Fig. 3?

 

4) The references in the introduction are generally not new, I suggest adding more recent publications, especially in the design and optimization of plasmonic metamaterials.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I recommend the publication of this article. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

moderate revision .