On the sensitivity of generic porous optical sensors

Mackay, Tom G.

doi:10.1364/ao.51.002752

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…But even for values of ǫ hcm well away from the immediate vicinity of Re ǫ hcm ≈ 0, the magnitudes of the sensitivity measure dθ c /dn b presented in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 compare favourably to sensitivities associated with optical sensing approaches based on surface-plasmon-polariton waves [33,34,35,36,37], Voigt waves [38,39], as well as generic porous dielectric materials [40]. We note that the issue of relatively large losses that arises in the parameter regime where Re ǫ hcm ≈ 0 could, in principle, be addressed by the use of active component materials [41].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…Indeed, in the limit ǫ hcm → 0 − , the critical angle θ c → π/2 and the derivative dθ c /dn b becomes unbounded. However, [33,34,35,36,37], Voigt waves [38,39], as well as generic porous dielectric materials [40]. We note that the issue of relatively large losses that arises in the parameter regime where Re ǫ hcm ≈ 0 could, in principle, be addressed by the use of active component materials [41].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Toward optical sensing with hyperbolic metamaterials

Mackay

2015

Opt. Eng

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A possible means of optical sensing, based on a porous hyperbolic material that is infiltrated by a fluid containing an analyte to be sensed, was theoretically investigated. The sensing mechanism relies on the observation that extraordinary plane waves propagate in the infiltrated hyperbolic material only in directions enclosed by a cone aligned with the optic axis of the infiltrated hyperbolic material. The angle this cone subtends to the plane perpendicular to the optic axis is θ c . The sensitivity of θ c to changes in the refractive index of the infiltrating fluid, namely n b , was explored; also considered were the permittivity parameters and porosity of the hyperbolic material, as well as the shape and size of its pores. Sensitivity was gauged by the derivative dθ c ∕dn b . In parametric numerical studies, values of dθ c ∕dn b in excess of 500 deg per refractive index unit were computed, depending upon the constitutive parameters of the porous hyperbolic material and infiltrating fluid and the nature of the porosity. In particular, it was observed that exceeding large values of dθ c ∕dn b could be attained as the negative-valued eigenvalue of the infiltrated hyperbolic material approached zero. Downloaded From: http://opticalengineering.spiedigitallibrary.org/ on 08/18/2015 Terms of Use: http://spiedigitallibrary.org/ss/TermsOfUse.aspx Optical Engineering Optical Engineering 067102-3 June 2015 • Vol. 54(6) Mackay: Toward optical sensing with hyperbolic metamaterials Downloaded From: http://opticalengineering.spiedigitallibrary.org/ on 08/18/2015 Terms of Use: http://spiedigitallibrary.org/ss/TermsOfUse.aspx Optical Engineering 067102-8 June 2015 • Vol. 54(6) Mackay: Toward optical sensing with hyperbolic metamaterials Downloaded From: http://opticalengineering.spiedigitallibrary.org/ on 08/18/2015 Terms of Use: http://spiedigitallibrary.org/ss/TermsOfUse.aspx Optical Engineering 067102-9 June 2015 • Vol. 54(6) Mackay: Toward optical sensing with hyperbolic metamaterials Downloaded From: http://opticalengineering.spiedigitallibrary.org/ on 08/18/2015 Terms of Use: http://spiedigitallibrary.org/ss/TermsOfUse.aspx

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Toward optical sensing with hyperbolic metamaterials

Mackay

2015

Opt. Eng

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Shape, Size, and Orientation Effects in Homogenized Composite Materials: A Case Study Based on Golden Vaterite

Mackay,

Lakhtakia

2023

The Advancing World of Applied Electromagnetics

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On columnar thin films as platforms for surface-plasmonic-polaritonic optical sensing: Higher-order considerations

Jamaian

Mackay

2012

Optics Communications

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The ability to tailor the porosity and optical properties of columnar thin films (CTFs) renders them promising platforms for optical sensing. In particular, surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves, guided by the planar interface of an infiltrated CTF and a thin layer of metal, may be harnessed to detect substances that penetrate the void regions in between the columns of a CTF. This scenario was investigated theoretically using a higher-order homogenization technique, based on an extended version of the second-order strongpermittivity-fluctuation theory, which takes into account the size of the component particles which make up the infiltrated CTF and the statistical distribution of these particles. Our numerical studies revealed that as the size of the component particles increases and as the correlation length that characterizes their distribution increases: (i) the phase speed of the SPP wave decreases and the SPP wave's attenuation increases; (ii) the SPP wave's penetration into the CTF decreases; (iii) the angle of incidence required to excite the SPP wave in a modified Kretschmann configuration increases; (iv) the sharpness of the SPP trough in the graph of reflectance versus angle of incidence increases; and (v) the sensitivity to changes in refractive index of the infiltrating fluid decreases.

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On the sensitivity of generic porous optical sensors

Cited by 3 publications

References 36 publications

Toward optical sensing with hyperbolic metamaterials

Toward optical sensing with hyperbolic metamaterials

Shape, Size, and Orientation Effects in Homogenized Composite Materials: A Case Study Based on Golden Vaterite

On columnar thin films as platforms for surface-plasmonic-polaritonic optical sensing: Higher-order considerations

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