Simulation and fabrication of butane gas sensor based on surface plasmon resonance phenomenon

Abstract

In this study, a butane (C4H10) gas sensor was simulated and fabricated using the surface plasmons resonance phenomenon. In this research, a thin layer of silver covered by a thin layer of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) was used to create surface plasmons. The most suitable thickness of silver and magnesium fluoride thin films for fabrication of butane gas sensor was determined by using computer simulations as well as laboratory experiments of 56 nm and 13 nm, respectively. With the aid of a BK7 prism and the Kretschmann configuration, surface plasmons were generated in the silver layer. Nitrogen gas was used to dilution of butane gas concentration. The fabricated sensor was tested and evaluated at different concentrations of butane gas. The sensor test results showed that this sensor is very sensitive to the concentration of butane gas, and changes in the concentration of this gas cause significant displacement at the peak location of the creation of surface plasmons.