Giant Extra-Ordinary Near Infrared Transmission from Seemingly Opaque Plasmonic Metasurface: Sensing Applications.

Sagar Kumar Verma,Sachin K Srivastava

doi:10.1007/s11468-021-01551-1

Sagar Kumar Verma, Sachin K Srivastava

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-021-01551-1

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Abstract

In the present study, we report giant extra-ordinary transmission of near infrared (NIR) light, more than 90%, through a seemingly opaque plasmonic metasurface, which consists of two metal nano-slits arrays (MNSAs) with alternate opening arrangements. By using perfect coupling of the plasmonic modes formed between the sharp edges of the upper and lower MNSAs of silver, a giant, wavelength selective transmission could be obtained. The study is accompanied by optimization of electromagnetic (EM) field coupling for different interlayer spacings and lateral overlap between the two MNSAs to understand their significance in light transmission through the metasurface. The interlayer spacing between the MNSAs works as the transmitting channel for light. The optimization of performance with different fill factors and plasmonic metals was performed as well. Because of the excitation of extended surface plasmons (ESPs) generated at both the MNSAs, the metasurface can be used for refractive index (RI) sensing as one of its applications by using a transparent and flexible polymer, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), as substrate. The maximum sensitivity which could be achieved for the optimal configuration of the metasurface was 1435.71 nm/RIU, with a figure of merit (FOM) of 80 RIU−1 for 90.45% optical transmission of light for the refractive index variation of analyte medium from 1.33 to 1.38 RIU. The present study strengthens the concept of light funneling through subwavelength structures due to plasmons, which are responsible for light transmission through this seemingly opaque metasurface and finds use in highly sensitive, flexible, and cost-effective EOT-based sensors.

Highlights

Plasmonic metasurfaces exhibit light controlling property in the same way as the metamaterials exhibit for the incoming radiation on the structure itself
An increase in the value of h is responsible for shift of the resonance peaks and change in percentage transmission, while that in H leads to coupling of the plasmonic modes at the sharp edges of the nano-slits of upper and lower metal nano-slits arrays (MNSAs), as it is evident from the electric field profiles plotted in Fig. 2c and d
For the optimal thickness of MNSAs, the surface plasmons (SPs) mode generated at interfaces 1 and the coupled plasmonic mode formed at the sharp edges between the interfaces 2 and 3 result in giant extra-ordinary optical transmission

Summary

Introduction

Plasmonic metasurfaces exhibit light controlling property in the same way as the metamaterials exhibit for the incoming radiation on the structure itself. We optimized the proposed structure of metasurface for maximum optical transmission, around 90% with a fill factor of 0.625, by changing the thickness (h) of Ag nano-slits from 10 to 125 nm and the vertical distance between upper and lower nano-slits array (H) from 115 to 0 nm () with refractive index, n = 1 for both substrate and superstrate media.

Results

Conclusion