The next generation of sensors requires a simple yet compact lab on chip-based precise optical detection mechanism where data interpretation can be achieved with minimum effort. Hereby, cost-efficient strategies of manufacturing both propagating surface plasmon polariton (SPP) and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors on flexible platforms are explored via mechanical instabilities and oblique-angled metal evaporation. Centimeter scaled dielectric grating structures produced by plasma oxidation of pre-stressed polydimethylsiloxane film have comprised the substrates, thus imparting inherent flexibility. Subsequently, both continuous and discontinuous 1D-metallic lattices are obtained via vapor deposition of gold at different angles. The optical isotropy (gold surface-grating) and anisotropy (gold edge-grating) are distinctly observed as a difference between forward and backward diffraction efficiencies, backed by analytical correlation to the observed orders. Supported with electromagnetic modeling, the SPP and LSPR excitations are experimentally characterized under reflectance and transmittance measurements, along with a demonstration of their sensing capabilities. The LSPR supported flexible sensor provides superiority in terms of sensitivity, which is investigated under mechanical deformations to exhibit consistency of the resonant wavelength. Such consistency is strategically unraveled via "finite element method" based approaches, thus providing a new paradigm of cost-efficient, large-scaled flexible sensors.

We show a novel method to generate highly localized and hierarchical wrinkling structures with controllable branching features.