Resolved terahertz spectroscopy of tiny molecules employing tunable spoof plasmons in an otto prism configuration

Abstract

Sensitive detection of terahertz fingerprint absorption spectrum for tiny molecules is essential for bioanalysis. However, it is extremely challenging for traditional terahertz spectroscopy measurement because of the weak spectral response caused by the large mismatch between terahertz wavelengths and biomolecular dimensions. Here, we proposed a wideband-tunable metal plasmonic terahertz biosensor to detect tiny biomolecules, employing attenuated total reflection in an Otto prism configuration and tightly confined spoof surface plasmons on the grooved metal surface. Benefitting from the plasmonic electric field enhancement, such a biosensor is able to identify the molecular terahertz fingerprints. As a proof of concept, a hypothetical molecule modeled by the Lorentz model with two vibrational modes is used as the sensing analytes. Simulation results show that the absorption of two vibrational modes of analytes can be selectively enhanced up to ten times by plasmonic resonance, and their fingerprints can be resolved by sweeping incident angle in a wide waveband. Our work provides an effective approach for the highly sensitive identification of molecular fingerprints in fields of biochemical sensing for tiny analytes.

Enhancement of wide-band trace terahertz absorption spectroscopy based on microstructures: a review

“…In addition, H. Z. Yao et al proposed a wide-band tunable metal SSP sensor for the detection of tiny biomolecules. 68 This sensor utilizes the attenuated total reflection of the Otto prism structure and the enhanced effect of the electric field of the SSP on the metal groove to effectively identify molecular terahertz fingerprints. The simulation results demonstrate that the plasmon resonance can selectively enhance the absorption of analytes for two vibration modes by 10 times, and can perform fingerprint recognition over a wide band by scanning the incident angle.…”