Gold Coated Octagonal Photonic Crystal Fiber Biosensor
Using Surface Plasmon Resonance
Abu Bakar Siddiqur Rahman1, Alok Kumar Paul2 and Md. Rasidul Islam3
Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology1,2
Khulna University of Engineering & Technolgy3
Bangladesh
bakar121107@gmail.com1, paul10alok@gmail.com2 and ronyrasidul@gmail.com3
Abstract—In this paper, a two ring octagonal lattice
photonic crystal fiber (PCF) biosensor using surface plasmon
resonance is proposed. A mode solver based on finite element
method (FEM) with a circular perfectly matched layer (PML)
and scattering boundary condition is used to evaluate the
performance of the proposed biosensor. In this work, gold is
used as a plasmonic material. The plasmonic material is used
as an outside layer of the PCF structure that is easy to
fabricate rather than inside coating of gold layer of the PCF
structure. The proposed sensor shows that maximum
wavelength sensitivity 10000 nm/RIU and maximum amplitude
sensitivity is 595 RIU-1 based on wavelength interrogation and
amplitude interrogation method, respectively. Also, sensor
resolution is found to 10-5 RIU-1. Therefore, the proposed
structure can be used in various applications such as biological
analyte detection and bio-imaging due to higher sensitivity and
simple design.
Keywords—photonic crystal fiber; biosensor; finite element
method; surface plasmon resonance
I. INTRODUCTION
Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a progressive
technology due to its extensive applications in numerous
fields. Highly sensitive detection properties are one of the
major characteristics of SPR. A transverse magnetic or p-
polarized light is incident on the prism coupled SPR which
is coated with a thin metal layer. When the frequency of the
incident light and plasmonic material matches, it excites the
free electrons of metal surface. Then electron density
oscillation occurs at the metal-dielectric surface which is
known as surface plasmon wave (SPW) [1]. A resonance
occurs in this situation when the energy and momentum are
same for both the incident light and SPW. The essential
condition for SPR is shown below [2].
2 2  m s
 p Sin  (1)
  m  s
λ is the wavelength of light, θ is the angle of incident light;
ɛp, ɛm and ɛs represents dielectric constants of material, metal
and sensing medium, respectively [2]. SPR sensors has
broad applications in many branches such as biological
sample detection, antibody-antigen interaction, medical
diagnosis, bio-imaging, food quality control etc. [3]. SPR
sensors are used in biosensing for its small size, reduced
cost and design flexibility [4]. It can detect an unknown
analyte with a small variation of RI by a large shifting of
wavelength peak [5]. Gold, silver, copper, and aluminum
are used as a plasmonic material [6]. Gold is chemically
stable and having larger shifts of resonance wavelength [7].
Silver can oxidized easily in liquid or gaseous environments
which prevent Au-Ag bi-metallic SPR sensors [8]-[9].
Recently, researchers have developed in SPR based PCF
bio sensors. A SPR sensor with graphene-silver layer with
filled analyte channel designed for RI detection [4]. A single
hexagonal layer where all the air holes are coated with a
gold layer and titanium oxide [10]. A hexagonal lattice of
polymer PCF deposited with metal oxide where air holes in
second layer are deposited by indium titanium oxide [11]. A
sensor with an elliptical air hole with four micro fluidic slots
is used for multi analytes detection [12]. In the above
sensor, metal layer deposited inside the air holes and also it
is quite difficult to infiltrate the liquid or analyte in several
inside air holes. To overcome these difficulties for practical
implementation of PCF based sensor designed a D shaped
PCF. A nanoscale gold film at the flat outer surface of D
shaped sensor has been proposed in [13]. A SPR sensing
layer is installed at the outside portion of the fiber with two
asymmetrical PCF structures [13].
In this paper, a PCF based sensor is proposed where gold
is used as a plasmonic material gives a high resonance peak
wavelength shift. A finite element method (FEM) based
software and MATLAB software environment are used to
analyze the performance of the proposed biosensor. In this
work, an outer sensing layer of the proposed PCF biosensor
is used for unknown analyte detection purposes that ensures
the real time and label free detection..
II. STRUCTURAL DESIGN
Fig. 1 shows the proposed model of the sensor. Two
octagonal layers of air holes are placed into the cladding
region. And, an air hole is located into the center region of
the proposed PCF biosensor. The shape of all air holes is in
circular. The improvement of phase matching condition
between fundamental core guided mode and surface
PML
d1
Analyte

dc
Gold
Fused
Silica
Air-
hole
Fig. 1. Cross sectional view of the proposed sensor.
plasmon polaritons (SPP) mode can be enhanced by this
structure. Air holes are set out at a 2.5 µm from the center
with anticlockwise rotation in an increasing manner for the
first ring of octagonal layers. Similarly, in the case of
second ring, air holes are stationed at 3.55 µm distance from
the center with anticlockwise successive rotation. Four air
holes in the second ring are omitted so that the evanescent
field can strike easily to the free electrons of the metal
surface. Hence, surface plasmon wave (SPW) is generated
appropriately. The proposed PCF structure can be fabricated
using solid rods and capillary with thicker wall. The
diameter of the central air hole is dc=0.8µm and the
diameter of the rest air holes are d1=1µm. Pitch (center to
center distance between two adjacent air holes) Λ =1.05 µm.
The remaining material and background is considered as a
fused silica. The refractive index of the fused silica can be
calculated using Sellmeier equation which is shown below
[1].
B12 B2 2 B32
2    1
2  C1 2  C2 2  C3
where, η is the wavelength dependent refractive index for
fused silica, λ is the wavelength in µm and B1, B2, B3, C1,
C2, C3 are Sellmeier constants. In this work, the plasmonic
material which is placed at the outer surface of the PCF. To
deposit the plasmonic material, different methods such as
radio frequency (RF) sputtering, thermal evaporation, wet-
evaporation and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) can be
used. The dielectric constant of gold can be calculated by
Drude-Lorentz model which is defined as [3].
D 2  . L 2
 Au      2
 (  jD) (   L 2 )  jL
Where ɛAu is the permittivity of gold, permittivity at high
frequency, ɛ∞ = 5.9673, angular frequency, ω = 2πC/λ and C
is velocity of light in vaccum, ωD/2π = 2116.3 THz and ωD
is the plasma frequency, γD/2π = 15.92 THz and γD is
damping frequency, weighting factor Δɛ = 1.09, spectral
width ΓL /2π = 104.86 THz and oscillator strength of
40 1.43
Confinement Loss (dB/cm)
Effective Index (Real)
20 1.42
Y pol core mode
Y pol spp mode
Y pol core mode (real)
X pol core mode
0 1.41
0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1
Wavelength,  (m)
Fig. 2. The wavelength dependence dispersion relation of plasmonic mode
fundamental mode (x-polarization), fundamental mode (y-polarization),
loss spectra (x-polarization), and loss spectra (y-polarization).
Lorentz oscillators, ΩL /2π = 650.07. The sample or analyte
which is situated outside the gold layer. It is actually
behaves as a dielectric layer. Here, simulation results and
performance analysis have done using finite element
method. The scattered light from the PCF is absorbed into a
circular perfectly matched layer (PML) and scattering
boundary conditions which restricts reflection.
III. SIMULATION RESULT AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
The interaction of evanescent field with surface
electrons is the basic requirements for PCF based SPR
sensors. The SPW is appeared in the metal-dielectric
interface. Light propagates into the core region. Evanescent
field which are created by the light coming into the cladding
region. The proposed structure has ability to generate SPW
striking the evanescent field into the metal surface. For this,
the geometrical configuration can be used to detect
(2)
unknown analyte. Surface plasmon wave is produced when
the evanescent field involved with the free electrons of
metal surface. The wavelength and its corresponding
confinement losses give a resonance curve where a peak
loss established at the resonant wavelength.
(a) (b)
(3)
(c)
Fig. 3. Mode Field Distribution in .880 µm for analyte 1.39 with 30 nm
gold layer (a) x polarization (b) y polarization (c) y polarization of SPP
mode
 40 40
Confinement Loss Lc (dB/cm)

Confinement Loss Lc (dB/cm)

35 analyte RI=1.33 35 analyte RI=1.33
analyte RI=1.34 analyte RI=1.34
30 analyte RI=1.35 30 analyte RI=1.35
analyte RI=1.36 analyte RI=1.36
analyte RI=1.37 analyte RI=1.37
25 analyte RI=1.38 25 analyte RI=1.38
analyte RI=1.39 analyte RI=1.39
20 20
15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0
0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Wavelength  (m) Wavelength  (m)

Fig. 4. The wavelength dependence loss spectra with d1=1 um, dc=0.8 um, Fig. 5. The wavelength dependence amplitude sensitivity with d1=1 um,
and gold layer thickness tg =30 nm. dc=0.8 um, and gold layer thickness tg =30 nm.

Fig. 3(a)-3(c) shows the fundamental mode field distribution Here, 0.880 µm gives the resonant wavelength where the
(MFD) for x polarization modes, y polarization modes and maximum possible energy is transferred from core guided
SPP mode for y polarization, respectively. The MFD is mode to SPP mode. And therefore, the field for y
taken for resonance wavelength of 0.880 µm at analyte 1.39 polarization is strongly coupled with the free electrons of
for 30 nm gold layer. The resonant wavelength also metal surface as well as both modes is strongly coupled. By
appeared into the condition which is previously considered varying the resonant peak and dispersion relations between
for MFD. From Fig 3(a) and Fig 3(b), it is seen that when core guided mode and SPP mode, the phase matching
the light is guiding into the core, y components light strikes condition can be verified. The confinement loss is defined
more into the metal surface than x components light. For as [1].
that reason, a stronger electric field exist for y polarization
mode compared to x polarization mode. Hence, the sensing  (dB / cm)  8.686  k0 . Im[neff ] 104 (4)
capability is increasing for y polarization mode by easily
interaction of evanescent field with the outer sensing layer. where, k=2π/ λ wave number into the free space, Im (ηeff) is
Fig. 2 shows dispersion characteristics for fundamental core the imaginary part of the effective refractive index and λ is
guided mode and SPP mode. Here, y components gives the wavelength in µm. The real part of ηeff of the SPP mode
higher effective refractive index (ηeff) compared to x is highly sensitive with the change of analyte RI. If the
components. Therefore, the loss is higher for y components analyte RI is varied to a higher value, then the real part of
than x components. From the figure, the real part of ηeff is ηeff of SPP mode is increase to a higher value. This is a cause
the same for fundamental y polarization mode (core guided to shift a resonance wavelength towards the higher value.
mode) and SPP mode. It is known as phase matching Therefore, confinement loss is increased by low variation of
condition or resonance condition. A sharper and higher analyte refractive index. If confinement loss increases, then
resonance peak is obtained from this condition. Resonance more energy will transfer from core guided mode to SPP
peak occurred at resonance wavelength. mode. Consequently, a sharper resonant spectrum will get
from this phenomena.
15 100
analyte RI=1.33
Amplitude Sensitivity (1/RIU)

analyte RI=1.33
analyte RI=1.34 50 analyte RI=1.34 4.5
Confinement Loss Lc (dB/cm)

analyte RI=1.35
analyte RI=1.36 a 0
analyte RI=1.35
4
analyte RI=1.33
c
analyte RI=1.37 analyte RI=1.34
Confinement Loss Lc (dB/cm)

10
analyte RI=1.38 -50 3.5 analyte RI=1.35
analyte RI=1.39 analyte RI=1.36
-100 3 analyte RI=1.37
analyte RI=1.38
5
-150 b 2.5
analyte RI=1.39
-200 2
analyte RI=1.36
-250 analyte RI=1.37 1.5
analyte RI=1.38
0 -300 1
0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1
Wavelength,  (m) 0.5
Wavelength  (m)
0
0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
100 Wavelength,  (m)
Amplitude Sensitivity (1/RIU)

50
0.9
0 Resonance wavelength
Resonance wavelength (nm)

-50 Linear fit of res. Wa.

0.8
-100
-150 analyte RI=1.33
analyte RI=1.34 0.7
-200 analyte RI=1.35
-250 analyte RI=1.36
analyte RI=1.37
-300 analyte RI=1.38 d 0.6 e
-350
0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1
Wavelength  (m) 0.5
1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39
Refractive index (RIU)
Fig. 6. Confinement loss spectra of the fundamental mode for the proposed biosensor for different analyte RI (a) gold layer thickness =40 nm (c) gold
layer thickness=50 nm and amplitude sensitivity as a function of wavelength for different analyte RI (b) gold layer thickness =40 nm (d) gold layer
thickness=50 nm with, d1= 1 um, and dc=0.8 um and (e) linear fitting of resonance wavelength.

100
Confinement Loss Lc (dB/cm)
Amplitude Sensitivity (1/RIU)
0 35
-100
-200
dc=0.792 um
-300
dc=0.8 um
-400 dc=0.808 um
-500
-600
-700
0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1
Wavelength,  (m)
Fig. 7. The wavelength dependence amplitude sensitivity for analyte
RI=1.38 and loss spectra with dc variation for gold layer thickness tg =30
nm.
The more evanescent field, then the more transmission loss,
hence more interaction with the metal surface and so design
gives more sensitivity. For the proposed sensor, we varied
the analyte from 1.33-1.34, 1.34-1.35, 1.35-1.36, 1.36-1.37,
1.37-1.38, and 1.38-1.39 in a regular sequence, then the
resonance wavelength shifted from 0.60 µm to 0.62 µm,
0.62-0.64 µm, 0.64-0.68 µm, 0.68-0.72 µm, 0.72-0.78 µm,
0.78-0.88 µm, respectively. Fig. 4 demonstrates the
wavelength dependence loss spectra with analyte RI
variation. The maximum wavelength sensitivity is achieved
to 10000 nm/RIU for the variation of analyte RI 1.38-1.39.
So for wavelength interrogation, its sensitivity can be
calculated by the equation as [3].
 peak
S ( )  (nm / RIU )
na
where, Δλpeak is the resonance peak shift and Δna is the
analyte’s RI variation . Cross effect variation occurs with
the resonance peak wavelength magnitude changes by the
variation of analyte RI. The neff of SPP mode, core mode neff,
penetration depth of the SPP field are include in the cross
effect. Fig. 5 also demonstrates the wavelength dependence
amplitude sensitivity with analyte RI variation. In amplitude
interrogation, amplitude sensitivity is gained using equation
(2). The variation of analyte RI is done from 1.33-1.34,
1.34-1.35, 1.35-1.36, 1.36-1.37, 1.37-1.38, 1.38-1.39 in a
regular sequence, the amplitude sensitivity are 100, 130,
210, 330, 570, 595 RIU-1 respectively. Amplitude sensitivity
is defined as
1  ( , na )
S A ( RIU 1 )  
 ( , na ) na
The thickness of gold layer has an adverse effect on the
performance of the sensor. If the thickness of gold layer is
increased, then both amplitude sensitivity and wavelength
sensitivity decreases. The demonstration is given in Fig. 6.
With increasing gold layer thickness, less possibility to
penetrate the evanescent field into the plasmonic material
and the loss depth will decrease, respectively. So, less
striking of evanescent field into the gold layer decreases the
sensor performance. Fig. 7 also discusses the central air hole
diameter variation. When the central air-hole diameter
decreases, amplitude sensitivity increases. But, there is no
change in wavelength sensitivity.
IV. CONCLUSION
40 In a sum, a simple design with octagonal structure PCF
na=1.39, d c=0.808 um
na=1.39, d c=0.8 um biosensor has been proposed. The guiding parameters and
na=1.39, dc=0.792 um
30
na=1.38, d c=0.792 um
performance of the proposed sensor have been analyzed
25 using FEM based software. The proposed sensor shows that
na=1.38, dc=0.8 um
20
na=1.38, d c=0.808 um
the maximum wavelength sensitivity of 10000 nm/RIU on
15
10
the basis of wavelength interrogation technique for sensing
5 layer RI of 1.39, the amplitude sensitivity of 595 RIU-1 on
0 the basis of amplitude interrogation method for the sensing
layer RI of 1.38, the sensor resolution of 10−5 RIU, and high
0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1
Wavelength,  (m)
linearity with R2 is equal to 0.9078. The performance is
investigated with sensing ranges from analyte RI of 1.33 to
1.39. Considering the high sensor performance, this can be
used for unknown analyte detection.
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