Search Results (95)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has emerged as a global health threat that demands early detection to seize the optimal intervention opportunity. Central nervous system (CNS)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), lipid-bilayer nanoparticles released by CNS cells, carry key biomolecules involved in AD pathology, positioning them as a promising source of biomarkers for early detection. Current breakthroughs in EV-based isolation and detection technologies have opened up the possibility of early, accurate AD diagnosis. This review summarizes their multifaceted roles in AD pathogenesis, including amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation, tau propagation, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction, and highlights neuron- and glia-derived EV biomarkers with translational potential. We further outline recent advances in EV isolation techniques—including density-, size-, charge/dielectric-, immunoaffinity-, and acoustics-based approaches—and emerging detection platforms such as fluorescence, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), electrochemical, and nanomechanical sensors for sensitive, multiplex AD diagnostics. Finally, we discuss key challenges, including standardization, sensitivity, and high-throughput adaptation, and explore future directions such as automated microfluidics and single-vesicle analysis. CNS-derived EVs hold significant promise as minimally invasive, next-generation tools for early AD detection and precision medicine. Full article

Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles (EVs) that carry biomolecular signatures reflective of their parent cells, making them powerful tools for non-invasive diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring. Despite their potential, clinical application is hindered by challenges such as low abundance, heterogeneity, and the complexity of biological samples. To address these limitations, plasmonic biosensing technologies—particularly propagating surface plasmon resonance (PSPR), localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)—have been developed to enable label-free, highly sensitive, and multiplexed detection at the single-vesicle level. This review outlines recent advancements in nanoplasmonic platforms for exosome detection and profiling, emphasizing innovations in nanostructure engineering, microfluidic integration, and signal enhancement. Representative applications in oncology, neurology, and immunology are discussed, along with the increasingly critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) in spectral interpretation and diagnostic classification. Key technical and translational challenges—such as assay standardization, substrate reproducibility, and clinical validation—are also addressed. Overall, this review highlights the synergy between exosome biology and plasmonic nanotechnology, offering a path toward real-time, precision diagnostics via sub-femtomolar detection of exosomal miRNAs through next-generation biosensing strategies. Full article

Magneto-plasmonic structures have been a subject of tremendous attention of researchers in recent decades as they provide unique approaches regarding the efficient control of optical, magneto-optical, and nonlinear-optical effects. Among others, magneto-plasmonic crystals (MPCs) have become one of the most studied structures, known for their high-quality tunable resonant optical properties. Here, we present the results of experimental and numerical studies on the functional magneto-optical (MO) response of planar 1D plasmonic crystals composed of Co/Au stripes of submicron period on the surface of a 3 μm thick rare-earth garnet layer. The experimental and numerical studies confirm that the wavelength–angular spectra of such structures contain a set of tunable resonant features in their optical and magneto-optical response, associated with the excitation of (i) surface plasmon polaritons at the Co/Au grating–garnet interface, as well as (ii) waveguide (WG) modes propagating in the garnet slab. A comparison of the MO effects in the transversal and longitudinal magnetization of the plasmonic structures is presented. We show that the most efficient Fano-type MPC magneto-optical response is realized for the WG modes of the first order for the longitudinal magnetization of the structure. Further perspectives regarding the optimization of this type of plasmonic crystal are discussed. Full article

This work presents a novel and comprehensive framework for optimizing fiber optic evanescent wave (FOEW) localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors by investigating the unique interaction between evanescent waves and plasmonic nanoparticles. Unlike propagating light, the evanescent wave is a localized, non-propagating field that interacts exclusively with absorbing media near the fiber surface. This characteristic highlights the importance of prioritizing nanoparticle absorption over total extinction in FOEW sensor design. The optical response of silver nanoparticles was modeled across a size range of 10–100 nm, showing that absorption increases with particle number. Among the sizes tested, 30 nm silver nanoparticles exhibited the highest absorption efficiency, which was confirmed experimentally. An analytical adsorption kinetics model based on diffusion transport further predicted that smaller nanoparticles yield higher surface coverage, a result validated through atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Refractive index (RI) sensitivity tests conducted on sensors fabricated with 10 nm, 20 nm, and 30 nm silver nanoparticles revealed that while smaller nanoparticles produced higher initial absorption due to greater surface density, the 30 nm particles ultimately provided superior RI sensitivity due to their enhanced absorption efficiency. These findings underscore the significance of absorption-centered nanoparticle design in maximizing FOEW LSPR sensor performance. Full article

Near-field imaging of the hybrid surface plasmon-phonon polaritons on the n-GaN semiconductor was performed using a scattering scanning near-field optical microscope at the selected frequencies of 920 cm⁻¹ and 570 cm⁻¹. The experimental measurements and numerical modeling data were in good agreement, revealing the large propagation distances on the n-GaN semiconductor and other insights which could be obtained by analyzing the dispersion characteristics of hybrid polaritons. In particular, the decay lengths of polaritons at the excitation frequency of 920 cm⁻¹ were measured to be up to 25 and 30 µm in experiment and theory, respectively. In the case of excitation at the frequency of 570 cm⁻¹, the surface plasmon-phonon polaritons’ decay distances were 25 µm and 105 µm, respectively, noting the limitations of the near-field optical microscope setups used. Dispersion characteristics of the resonant frequency and the damping rate of hybrid polaritons were numerically modeled and compared with the analytical calculations, validating the need for further experiment improvements. The launch conditions for the near-field observation of extraordinary coherence of the surface plasmon-phonon polaritons were also discussed. Full article

This investigation presents an overview of various optical biosensors utilized for the detection of cancer cells. It covers a comprehensive range of technologies, including surface plasmon resonance $\left(SPR\right)$ sensors, which exploit changes in refractive index $\left(RI\right)$ at the sensor surface to detect biomolecular interactions. Localized surface plasmon resonance $\left(LSPR\right)$ sensors offer high sensitivity and versatility in detecting cancer biomarkers. Colorimetric sensors, based on color changes induced via specific biochemical reactions, provide a cost-effective and simple approach to cancer detection. Sensors based on fluorescence work using the light emitted from fluorescent molecules detect cancer-specific targets with specificity and high sensitivity. Photonics and waveguide sensors utilize optical waveguides to detect changes in light propagation, offering real-time and label-free detection of cancer biomarkers. Raman spectroscopy-based sensors utilize surface-enhanced Raman scattering $\left(SERS\right)$to provide molecular fingerprint information for cancer diagnosis. Lastly, fiber optic sensors offer flexibility and miniaturization, making them suitable for in vivo and point-of-care applications in cancer detection. This study provides insights into the principles, applications, and advancements of these optical biosensors in cancer diagnostics, highlighting their potential in improving early detection and patient outcomes. Full article

The manipulation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) plays an essential role in plasmonic science and technology. However, the modulation efficiency and size of the device in the traditional method suffer from weak light–matter interaction. Herein, we propose a new method to enhance the light–matter interaction by controlling the resonance of electrons in a sandwich structure which is composed of an interdigital electrode, dielectric, and doped semiconductor. The numerical results show that the resonance of electrons occurs when their vibrational frequency under electrostatic field matches well with the oscillation frequency of the propagating SPPs. The intensity of the electric field is enhanced about 8%, which can be utilized to improve the modulation efficiency and minimize the footprint of device to a great extent. These findings pave a new way towards higher precision sensor and more compact modulator. Full article

Inspired by metasurfaces’ control over light fields, this study created a liquid microlens coated with a layer of Au@TiO₂, Core-Shell nanospheres. Utilizing the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of Au@TiO₂, Core-Shell nanospheres, and the formation of photonic nanojets (PNJs), this study aimed to extend the imaging system’s cutoff frequency, improve microlens focusing, enhance the capture capability of evanescent waves, and utilize nanospheres to improve the conversion of evanescent waves into propagating waves, thus boosting the liquid microlens’s super-resolution capabilities. The finite difference time domain (FDTD) method analyzed the impact of parameters including nanosphere size, microlens sample contact width, and droplet’s initial contact angle on super-resolution imaging. The results indicate that the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the field distribution produced by the uncoated microlens is 1.083 times that of the field distribution produced by the Au@TiO₂, Core-Shell nanospheres coated microlens. As the nanosphere radius, droplet contact angle, and droplet base diameter increased, the microlens’s light intensity correspondingly increased. These findings confirm that metasurface coating enhances the super-resolution capabilities of the microlens. Full article

Currently, perfect absorption properties of metamaterials have attracted widespread interest in the area of solar energy. Ultra-broadband absorption, incidence angle insensitivity, and polarization independence are key performance indicators in the design of the absorbers. In this work, we proposed a metamaterial absorber based on the absorption mechanism with multiple resonances, including propagation surface plasmon resonance (PSPR), localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), electric dipole resonance (EDR), and magnetic dipole resonance (MDR). The absorber, consisting of composite nanocylinders and a microcavity, can perform solar energy full-spectrum absorption. The proposed absorber obtained high absorption (>95%) from 272 nm to 2742 nm at normal incidence. The weighted absorption rate of the absorber at air mass 1.5 direct in the wavelength range of 280 nm to 3000 nm exceeds 98.5%. The ultra-broadband perfect absorption can be ascribed to the interaction of those resonances. The photothermal conversion efficiency of the absorber reaches 85.3% at 375 K. By analyzing the influence of the structural parameters on the absorption efficiency, the absorber exhibits excellent fault tolerance. In addition, the designed absorber is insensitive to polarization and variation in ambient refractive index and has an absorption rate of more than 80% at the incident angle of 50°. Our proposed absorber has great application potential in solar energy collection, photothermal conversion, and other related areas. Full article

In this work, a novel optical–chemical sensor for the detection of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFASs) in a real scenario is presented. The proposed sensing approach exploits the multimode characteristics of plastic optical fibers (POFs) to achieve unconventional sensors via surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomena. The sensor is realized by the coupling of an SPR-POF platform with a novel chemical chip based on different polymeric nanolayers over the core of a D-shaped POF, one made up of an optical adhesive and one of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for PFAS. The chemical chip is used to launch the light into the SPR D-shaped POF platform, so the interaction between the analyte and the MIP’s sites can be used to modulate the propagated light in the POFs and the SPR phenomena. Selectivity tests and dose–response curves by standard PFOA water solutions were carried out to characterize the detection range sensor response, obtaining a wide PFAS response range, from 1 ppt to 1000 ppt. Then, tests performed on river water samples collected from the Bormida river paved the way for the applicability of the proposed approach to a real scenario. Full article

In this study, an ultra-wideband absorber spanning from UV-B to middle-IR was designed and analyzed using a novel structure. The multilayer metamaterial, arranged from bottom to top, consisted of an Al metal layer, a lower SiO₂ layer, a graphite layer, another SiO₂ layer, a thin Ti layer, and a top SiO₂ layer. The top layer of SiO₂ had a 200 nm square cavity etched out, and then a square Ti nanopillar and a square Ti hollow outside a Ti nanopillar were embedded. This specific arrangement was chosen to maximize the absorption properties across a broad spectrum. The absorption spectrum of the designed absorber was thoroughly analyzed using the commercial finite element analysis software COMSOL Multiphysics^® (version 6.0). This analysis confirmed that the combination of these various components achieved perfect absorption and an ultra-wideband response. The synergistic interaction between the layers and the nanopillars structure contributed significantly to the absorber’s efficiency, making it a promising candidate for applications requiring broad-spectrum absorption. The comprehensive analyses of the parameters for different structures demonstrated that the effects of guided-mode resonance, coupling resonance, optical impedance matching, and propagating surface plasmon resonance existed in the investigated structure. The optimal model, determined through analyses using COMSOL Multiphysics^®, showed that the broadband absorption in the range of 270 to 3600 nm, spanning from UV-B to middle-IR, exceeded 90.0%. The average absorption rate within this range was 0.967, with the highest reaching a near-perfect absorptivity of 99.9%. We also compared three absorption spectra in this study: the t1–t6 flat structure, the t1–t5 flat structure with t6 featuring a square cavity, and the structure proposed in this study. This demonstrates that a square nanopillar and a square hollow embedded in a square cavity can enhance the absorptive properties of the absorber. Full article

To facilitate the sensor fabrication and sensing operation in microstructured optical fiber-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors for high refractive index (RI) detection, we propose a special hollow fiber-based SPR sensor that comprises an opening on its body side and a thin gold layer coated on its outer surface. The analyte is able to flow into the hollow core through the side-opening to form new fiber core, with the Gaussian-like mode propagating in it. We investigate the sensing performance of the proposed sensor in a higher RI range of 1.48 to 1.54 at two feasible schemes: one is to only fill the fiber core with analyte (Scheme A), and the other is to directly immerse the sensor in the analyte (Scheme B). The results demonstrate that our sensor exhibits higher wavelength sensitivity at Scheme A with a maximum wavelength sensitivity of 12,320 nm/RIU, while a greater amplitude sensitivity was found at Scheme B with a maximum amplitude sensitivity of 1146 RIU⁻¹. Our proposed sensor features the advantages of simple fabrication, flexible operation, easy analyte filling and replacing, enhanced real-time detection capabilities, high RI detection, and very high wavelength sensitivity and amplitude sensitivity, which makes it more competitive in SPR sensing applications. Full article

We introduce a groundbreaking plasmonic metamaterial, the Nano-Hemisphere on Hyperbolic Metamaterial (NHoHMM), which involves the fabrication of Ag nano-hemispheres on a multilayered Ag/SiO₂ structure, achieved solely through sputtering and heat treatment. Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations unveil the intriguing slow propagation of the localized electric field, where light travels at only 1/40th of its usual speed within this structure. These simulations reveal distinctive sharp absorption peaks in the visible spectrum, attributed to surface plasmon resonance. In practical experiments, the NHoHMM structure, characterized by random Ag nano-hemispheres, exhibits broad absorption peaks spanning the visible range, rendering it a versatile broadband optical absorber. For comparison, the optical properties of the Ag nano-hemispheres on a nanocermet (NHoNC) structure were analyzed through simultaneous sputtering of Ag and SiO₂ followed by heat treatment. Simulations employing effective medium theory and the transfer matrix method demonstrate variable optical properties dependent on the Ag filling ratio in the nanocermet structure. The results obtained differ from the spectra of the NHoHMM structure; thus, it is concluded that in the NHoHMM structure, the calculated multi-peaks are broadened due to the inhomogeneity of the nano-hemispherical structure’s size, rather than the metal/dielectric multilayer structure being altered by the heat treatment. Full article

The increasing demand for rapid, cost-effective, and reliable diagnostic tools in personalized and point-of-care medicine is driving scientists to enhance existing technology platforms and develop new methods for detecting and measuring clinically significant biomarkers. Humanity is confronted with growing risks from emerging and recurring infectious diseases, including the influenza virus, dengue virus (DENV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Ebola virus, tuberculosis, cholera, and, most notably, SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19), among others. Timely diagnosis of infections and effective disease control have always been of paramount importance. Plasmonic-based biosensing holds the potential to address the threat posed by infectious diseases by enabling prompt disease monitoring. In recent years, numerous plasmonic platforms have risen to the challenge of offering on-site strategies to complement traditional diagnostic methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Disease detection can be accomplished through the utilization of diverse plasmonic phenomena, such as propagating surface plasmon resonance (SPR), localized SPR (LSPR), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF), surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, and plasmonic fluorescence sensors. This review focuses on diagnostic methods employing plasmonic fluorescence sensors, highlighting their pivotal role in swift disease detection with remarkable sensitivity. It underscores the necessity for continued research to expand the scope and capabilities of plasmonic fluorescence sensors in the field of diagnostics. Full article

Gold nanohole arrays, hybrid metal/dielectric metasurfaces composed of periodically arranged air holes in a thick gold film, exhibit versatile support for both localized and propagating surface plasmons. Leveraging their capabilities, particularly in surface plasmon resonance-oriented applications, demands precise optical tuning. In this study, a customized particle swarm optimization algorithm, implemented in Ansys Lumerical FDTD, was employed to optically tune gold nanohole arrays treated as bidimensional gratings following the Bragg condition. Both square and triangular array dispositions were considered. Convergence and evolution of the particle swarm optimization algorithm were studied, and a mathematical model was developed to interpret its outcomes. Full article