‘Sensing and Bo Sensing Research 29 (2020) 100364 Content lists available at ScienceDisest Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research Journal homepage: wow. clsevier.com/locstelsbsr Air-hole attributed performance of photonic crystal fiber-based SPR sensors (@) Hamim Nashaye Rafi, Md, Rejvi Kaysit’, Md. Jahirul Islam Degree Uneaten an Ten (RUE, Kia 90 Rage ower Photonic crystal Aber (PCF) based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors show great promise In diferent Rr fields due other fesbilty, remote aces, and remarkable sensing capability. To improve the prior Pasco nance (eg. sensitivity) oF PCF-hased SPR sensors, two sateies are genealy employed: () use of new pas sensors ‘monic materials, and (i engineering the a-hole geometry. In particular, ai-tokes geomecy plays crucial role ln maintaining both core and surface plasmon poaston (SPP) modes in SPR sensors. This work aims ati Vestigating the eect of aloes geometry on the performance of PCFbased SPR sensors. Here, the PCF ‘models namely A, Bnd Chave been but with liferent a-hole geomeste, and their eect on refractive inde (A sensicvty is explored systematically through design, numerical simulation, data acquisition, and inte pretation. Performance parameters such as confinement loss (CL, senstviy, and Sensing range of analytes (Le Fd have aso been evaluated. Movdet A and exhibit sme maximum wavelength Seasanty and vsotion of ‘5000 nm/RIU snd 2 = 10° RLU" respectively, where mode! Bs air holes are rated 90" compared 0 model A Otherwise, model introduces a smal ir hole at the middle of PCE, where the maximum wavsength sensitivity and resolution age found to Be 8000 m/RIV ant 1.25 % 10" RIV", respectively. Moreover, model © exhibits {CL much higher than model A and Btn addition, model C shows larger detection ranges of analytes RL The analysis would be hepfl in designing highly sensitive PCRbased SPR sensors for detecting a wide range of analytes 1. Introduction Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) Is an interesting optical phe nomenon used 2s the basis of many measuring and sensing instruments SPR occurs when 2 polarized light strikes atthe metal-dielectric inter. face which produces eleetron charge density waves, known as plasmon ‘and the resulting electron osilaton satisfies the resonance condition 1]. When the charge density oscillation propagates along with the metalieleteie interface, itis known as surface plasmon polariton (GPP), which is the mode of an interface and a phenomenon of re sonance Le. matching of the waveveetors between ineident light and surface wave propagation modes. ‘The fist SPR based sensing application reported in 1983 (2). In, recent years, sensors based on the SPR principle have gained enormous recognition due to its remarkable sensing capability. Conventionally, ‘SPR sensors are based on prism coupled geometry. First a ray of light as 2 transverse magnetic (TM) wave or p-polarized light is incident to ‘words 9 plane ofthe metal surface by passing through a prism. Then, the energy of striking light is coupled to the oscillation of the free ‘electrons of the metal surface and results in surface plasmon wave (SPW). The prism-based SPR sensors are not sultable for remote, "Corresponding author. ‘mal dares: reece ket ae Md. Kays). hntps://do.og/10.1016/.sbse.2020,100364 miniaturized, and consolidate applications due to the bulky constrve- tion [1,2]. To overcome these limitations, photoni erystalflber (PCF) based SPR sensors have been inttadueed. Notably, PCF accumulates @ diversity of new and improved features compared to conventional op tical fibers [1] and thus has gained the utmost attraction of researchers Aue to it structural flexibility and wide applicability indifferent fields [4-71 For instance, PCF has opened a new era in applications like nonlinear fiber optics, particle guidance, optical oscillators. super continuum generation, fiber lasers, amplifiers, and sensors “The cayetallike structute in PCF is obtained by arranging ait holes in a periodic manner inside photonic erystal fer. The internal ar rangement of air holes and their diameters can be rearranged oF changed to make new types of PCF sensors for applications in diferent aceas [8]. It is noted that PCP ean be characterized by thelr optical parameters like low confinement los, hgh nonlinearity, high negative Aispetsion and so on [9,10]. This PCF exhibits excellent optical char- acteristics such a& high confinement, single-mode propagation, and controllable birefringence [1]. These properties can be used t0 re tlace the evanescent field in the desired manner, which 4s the key concept fr effectively controlling the sensing performance of PCF bases SPR sensors {12 The design flexibility makes PCF based SPR sensor @ Received 12 Apel 2020; Received in revised form 24 June 2020; Accepted 26 June 2020 2214-1804/ © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier BV. This san open access article under the OG BY-NO-ND license Cu reativecommonsiongienses/BY-NEND/.0/).ap vat better candidate compared tothe prism coupled sensor In general the performance indicating parameters (e.g. sensitivity and reftactiveindex range of sensing measurands) of POF based SPR sensors ean be en- hanced by employing the following two strategies: (© modifying Aber structural parameters (e. aichole dimension, numberof air hoes, piteh), and using effective plasmonie materials. As stated, SPR sensors provide very high sensitivity which allows it to detect very small variation in analyte refractive index (RD from re- sonant wavelength shifting measurements. Higher sensitivity offers better accuracy in the detection of an unknoven analyte [13]. The Performance of the SPR sensor largely depends on the selection of plasmonic materials. Several recent works have been done by using gold, silver, aluminum, and copper as active plasmonic material [14]. Silver offers a sharp resonance peak whieh Is & sign of high sensing ‘accuracy but as material, sis unstable and highly suseepible (0 ‘oxidization in the presence of an aqueous soliton, The oxidization results in a brite oxide layer and therefore diminishes the sensor ex cellency [15]. A coating ofa thin graphene layer can be a solution to {his problem, but addtional coating increases the fabrication com- plextis as well as manufacturing cost. On the contrary, gold is che ically stable and does not oxidize easily (21) On the other hand, various PCF based SPR sensors with diferent designs have been explored in the literature to improve the sensing performance with etter sensitivity and sensing range. In Ref. [16], @ PCF based SPR sensor with elliptical air holes and four microfluidic ‘channels is reported that can sense multiple analytes. In smother study, ‘4 multichannel PCF-based sensor using silver as plasmonic material, which is coated with the gold, has been presented that demonstrates wavelength and amplitude sensitivities of 4750 nm/RIU and 1555 respectively [17]. Besides, a D-shaped hollow-core PCP sensor ‘hows wavelength and amplitude sensitivities of 6000 am/RIU and 148 IU, respectively [18]. In that study Indium tin oxide (ITO) is used as the plasmonic material. Another hollow-core PCF SPR sensor presents @ ‘maximum wavelength sensitivity of 4000 nm/RIU with an amplitude ‘sensitivity of 478 RIU-" [19]. A copper-graphene-based PCF sensor i proposed in Ref. [20}, which illustrates wavelength sensitivity of 2000 nm/RIU and amplitude sensitivity of 140 RIU~* whete the RI of ‘sensing analyte ranges from 1.93 (0 1.37. A hexagonal PCF sensor i ‘exhibited in Ref. [21] that combines a single ring and four microfluidic ‘channels, and four modes are separately studied therefor mult-analyte defections. This sensor indicates the wavelength sensitivity of 2400 nm/RIU inthe Rl range from 1.33 to 1.34 of analytes. Inthe case ‘of gold-oated hexagonal PCFS, investigations were earried out and Findings include wavelength sensitivity of 4000 nm/RIU with amplitude sensitivity of 320 RIU~" with the sensor resolutions of 25 x 10~® RIU ‘and 3.125 x 10° RIU at sensing range 1.34 to 1.36 [22]. The existing paper [23] offered a graphene-based PCF with high sensitivity, which is birefringent but it includes air holes having a different diameter. An- ‘other graphene-based PCP of D-Shaped is exhibited wavelength sens tivity of 3700 nm/RIU. Ie showed a resolution of 27 x 10* RIU [24] ‘A DShaped PCF has been modeled which has provided average and ‘maximum sensitivity of 7700 nm/RIU and 9000 rim/RIU, respectively [25]. Though D-Shaped PCFs help to overcome the problem of internal ‘coating, and for ttining flat surface they need extra surface polishing ‘hich makes complications in manufacturing [25] To date, numerous PCF based SPR sensors have been reported Noteworthy features such as wavelength and amplitude sensitivities of various types of sensors are outlined in the preceding studies. The re ported system model differs from structural or material properties ‘Some ofthe existing sensors lack desirable sensitivity and some require sophisticated and complex fabrication challenges. I is noted that high sensitivity and fine resolution are desirable for a good sensor. Moreover, the scope of practical realization from straightforward Semin and i Semin Resech 29 (2020) 10368 fabrication techniques of the sensors Is also crucial in terms of com- mercial viability. For example, some ofthe proposed designs put plas ‘monic material in internal air holes which is essentially tough for fab ication [19]. Most of the work in the literature is based on tuning the structural and plasmonic materials parameters to find out the optimal performance parameters, whic is trial and error method. However, it is quite important to systematically investigate the effect of structural Parameters on the performance of the PCF based SPR sensors, which could be very helpful forthe designer to implement efficient SPR sen: sors covering a wide range of analyte (i.e. RI) detection with good sensitivity Recently, the effect of air hole shapes on sensing performance of the PCF-based SPR sensor with a particular range of analyte (1.33 to 1.35) and three different types of alr hole shapes (cieular, square, and et liptcal) hve been reported [27]. However, there is no analysis of the size and relative positions of the sir-holes in that analysis, which is ‘another crucial parameter for designing highly sensitive PCF-based SPR sensors. This work aims at investigating the effect of cireular ai holes geometry (Le. the size and relative postions) on the sensing perfor mance of PCF based SPR sensors. Here, gold is chosen asa plasmonic material at the outer surface of the PCF structure as it is chemically stable and does not oxide easily. This paper explores mainly PCF struetures with a combination of different airsholes geometry to in ‘vestigate higher sensitivities (both amplitude and wavelength) and fine resolution. Section 2 provides the details of three basic PCF structures and numerical modeling. The details ofthe material parameters that are used in this analysis also included in this section. Section 3 deseribes the numerical results ofthe three diferent models with their perfor ‘mance indication parameters (eg. sensitivity and resolution). Finally, some useful comments on how the performance indication parameters can be improved by considering different design parameters are made at the end of this section. Thea, the summarization and outcomes ofthis Investigation are deseribed in Section 4 2, SPR sensors design and numerical modeling AAs noted in the preceding section, we aimed at investigating the performance of PCF based SPR sensors for the diferent structural sys tems. In general, the electric field distribution in the sensor is mostly dominated by the air hole position and theie relative size. To find out the airholeposition-dependent performance ofthe SPR, its necessary to build different fiber structures with different alr-hole positions. To investigate air-hole placement behavior, three DCF fiber models are considered in the present work: Model A, Model B, and Model C, The Schematic representation of cross-sections of the mentioned models of PCF based SPR sensors are shown in Fg. 1. ‘To ensure the sensor feasibility, i€ is necessary {© have both the light guiding through the core and the interaction between light and the plasmonie metal surface ofthe sensor, Ths interaction Is known as the SPP mode, To obtain SPP modes, the aircholes position should be at suitable places to enhance the interaetion. In Model A, the alrcholes are placed in such a way that i€ supports both the core guiding and SPP ‘modes. Model Bis introduced by rotating the inner aiole geometry of Model A at an angle of 90°. Model C is built by placing a seled-down air-hole inthe centr of Model B and removing the horizontal two small alr holes so that the asymmetrical distribution of alr-holes ean be evaluated, In general, PCF based SPR sensors are designed conventionally with a hexagonal lattice structure as iti simple, well examined, and rel tively easy to fabricate. Therefore, the models of this work have been bull based ona hexagonal lattice. Also single analyte channel is used {o avoid fabrieation complications. It is noted that the metallic layer thas introduced inthe SPR sensor mostly comprises of either silver or gold, Investigations reveal that god is chemically durable and rests in a larger shift of resonance peak due to a difference in the refractive Index of the sensing layer. Also, the use of gold shows higher shifts inap vat Semin and i Semin Resech 29 (2020) 10368 @ © © (JAit HEBPML layer EEGold silica Glass MN Analyte Fig. 1. Schematic representation ofthe cross-section of PCF base SPR sensors (a) Model A, (b) Mal, and (6) Mode C resonance parameters in literature, which consequently helps in ‘achieving higher sensitivity. Thus, gold is used as a plasmonic material inthis sty. ‘The hexagonal PCF structure consists of two types of clteula alt. hole rings. The materials associated with a diferent component of the sensor are described in ig. 1. For all the models the diameter ofa holes inthe outer ring fs dag = 1.6m and the diameter of a-hole in the iner ring is dy = 1.2 um. Here, ar-holes center to center distance is defined as pitch, A = 2 yam, Scaled-down aie-hole have been in: troduced in the center of Model C to control the propagation direction ‘of the light through the PCF. The small ar-hole inthe center of Model C {sof diameter dng = 0-4 is, Gold layer thickness f; = 30 nm, analyte layer thickness fae = 140 um and PML layer thickness ‘town = 1.20 jm are considered, which are also the same in all three models. As silica is used as background material the refraetive index of siliea has been calculated using the Selimeter equation ae follows: (25). Baty Bat ay B-G*B-G o where, n depicts wavelength dependent refractive index of sila, Is ‘he wavelength in im, The Sellmeler constants ae By, Ba, Ba, C, Ca and Cy. ‘The values for the constants are 0.696163, 0.4079426, 104897479400, 0.0046791486, 0.0135120631, and 97.9840025, re. spectively ‘The gold layer is placed on the outer surface of the PCF structure ‘which enhances the detection capability ofthe sensor. Drude-Lorentz model is used to obtain the dielectric function of gold material which is ‘characterized by the following equation [29], ae stip) @=22+ihe @ where ray I the permittivity of gold, e~ Is the permittivity at high frequency with a value 5.9673, « i the angular frequency where 1 = 2nc/A. Here, ay is the plasmon resonance frequency, yp i the damping frequency. Also, op/2x = 2113.6 THz, yp/2x=15.92 TH “The oscillator strength and the spectral width are given by 0) = 650.07 ‘THz and T,/2n= 104.86 THz, respectively Different performance parameters namely confinement loss, dis persion relationship, sensitivity, sensing range of different Rl analyte of the proposed sensors are being evaluated to find the effect of diferent ‘irhole postions, To formulate all the abovementioned design and ‘analysis, the mumerieal modeling technique Is used, which plays an Important role in designing and characterizing the PCP based sensors ‘While designing fiber waveguide, sensor, et, even the simplest shape in the fiber cross-section is dificlt and etimbersome to deal with ‘analytically. Thus, to emphasize more on design and evaluation rather than analytical ealculation, numeri modeling technique is used here. To fully appreciate the physics of plasmonic and how they could be embedded in PCP based sensor to get the best sensitivity, this work is carried out with the help of the finite element method (FEM), included ln the RF module of COMSOL Multiphysics” [30,311 3. Results and diseussion “The distribution of the evanescent electric field in PCF based SPR sensors can be determined by solving Maxwell equation. The COMSOL “Multiphysics software that wtiliaes the finite element method (FEM) is used fo numerically solve Maxwells equation to determine the electric field distribution. It also provides visualized different modes that are present in the PCF based SPR system, For a wavelength and fiber strueture, {ts necessary to find the core mode and SPP mode. At the resonance condition, the core guided light is transferred to SPP mode, where there is more interaction occurs at the interface of the analyte and gold layer. The sensing peeformance s largely determined by the SPP modes. Fig. 2 shouts the visualization of the electric fled distribution of the core and SPP modes fr all the three models at 750 nm wavelength and fnalyte RI of 1.34 Iie clearly shown that the light strongly confined at the core in the care mode. The SPP mode, on the other hand, re assembles the resonance atthe surface due to the SPR mechanism, The (Core and SPP mode's electric field distribution seems to be diferent from one model to the other as all the three models have diferent struetures which are obtained by positioning the a-hole ina diferent tcrangement. Its also noticed thatthe SPP mode in model C acquires the strongest electric field distribution at the interfaces than the other ‘ovo models. In the proposed sensor, confinement loss (CL) isthe Key parameter {o evaluate the performance of the sensor. To determine the Cl, the Imaginary part of the refractive index (ny is used, which is found from the solution of Maxwell's equation in COMSOL. The modal loss in dB/ cemof the fundamental cre guided mode is calculated by the following equation [32] e(QBem) = 8486 % ky TGs) 10" @ where, Imnag) is effective refractive index's Imaginary part and Ky Is the wave veetor Fig. 9 shone the dispersion relationship between the SPP and care ‘modes with the relation of loss peak with resonant wavelength for the considered three models of PCF based SPR sensors. For model A as shown in Fig. (a), the black line represents the CL. ofthe core mode. One the other hand, the blue an red lines indicate the real pars of the fective refractive indices of the SPP mode and core mode, respec Lively In general, itis clearly depicting thatthe refractive indices and CL are strongly dependent upon the wavelength. For instance, for both the SPP and core modes, the real part ofthe effective refractive indicesap vat Semin and i Semin Resech 29 (2020) 10368 Core Core Mode Mode spp spP Mode Model @ oy © Fig. 2. Electric field istrbation of Core and SPP modes for (a) Model A, (8) Model B, and €) Mode Cat 750 nm wavelength with analyte refractive index of 1.34 ‘decrease with inezeasing the wavelength; noted that for SPP mode has ofthe SPP mode line decreases. In contest, the CL spectrum increases the sharper slope. When the wavelength is increased, at around 630mm gradually first and then exhibits an obvious absorption peak at the wavelength, the two curves intersect each other and thereafter the slope wavelength same as the intersection point mentioned earlier This 14g 144 1300 1449 14a le 144 00> = = =e 144: 2 ¢ a S14 S @ ie hoo 144] 144 38 1.449) 144 q 1439 16 ‘60 580 600 620 G40 660 680 700 720 5B OW) 620 i 660 660 TOO TH Wavelength (nm) wavelength (nm) (a) (b) 144 14 1K 148 Bias Par © 13; 148 142 “Pa T60 80 B00 B20 BAO BED BBO ‘Wavelength (nm) (c) Fig. 3 Dispersion relationship ofthe cre mode (red), SPP mode (be), and oss specteum (back off) Model Ab) Move, and (e) Model C. (For interpretation of the references colour i thi figure legend, the reader i eefered 1a the wed Version ofthis atc)ap vat Semin and i Semin Resech 29 (2020) 10368 . 0 - E44 E 200) ben 3 Is Say 3 ae Sieg 5 so 4 q ‘Wavelength (nm) (a) (b) coincidence of the absorption peak and intersection confirms the phase matching coupling phenomenon and this certain wavelength is known as resonant wavelength, where maximum energy is tansferved ftom, ‘core guided mode to SPP mode. The energy transfer exhibits a sharp loss peak at that wavelength. As the phase-matching coupling depends fon the analyte RI, the maximum coupling is obtained at a different ‘wavelength for diferent analyte's RI. Thus, the loss peaks alsa seem to be shifted a diferent wavelength indicating the diference in analyte RI. This phenomenon makes the sensor viable forthe detection process. ‘The same process has been followed to obtain the dispersion relation for Model B and Model C which are shown in Fig, 2€b) and (), respectively ‘The dispersion relationship between the SPP mode and core mode in Model B and Model C are also similar in nature with Model A. All the three models show phase matching coupling condition at a certain ‘wavelength which exhibits a high loss peak. Thus, all the sensor models that have been designed are proved to be promising for the detection process and require further study to validate thir viability Fig. 4(a) shows the CL variation with the refractive index of analyte for Model A, where the substantial ehange of the CL spectrum occurs ‘with the increase of analyte RI. Thus, it ean be said that changing ‘analyte RI makes a significant impact on the SPP mode, which isthe basic requirement of SPR sensors. A small change in RI ofthe liquid sample shows a considerable variation on effective refractive index ‘of the SPP mode. This change in ng is followed by shifting of loss peak correspondingly. With an analyte RI of 1.33, the phase matching point ‘curs ot wavelength of 610 nm for core guided mode, As analyte RI Increases, the effective index diffeence between core and SPP mode ‘decreases, As a result of the fact, CL meets significant changes. Hence, the loss depth shows inereasing eharacteristie with the increment of the analyte RI from 1.38 (01.37 (with a step size of 0.01. Besides, chan sing analyte RI makes shifting of phase matching point towards higher ‘wavelength which Indicates a redshift, Higher loss depth offers ad vanced confinement of the guided mode, which gives a boost to the field propagation through the eladding region of the PCF sensor. This resulls ina higher exchange of energy from fundamental guided mode to SPP mode which increases the interaction of the evanescent field ‘with the analyce ‘A similar process has been followed for Model B and Model C. The loss spectrum withthe variation of analyte RI for Mode! B and Model C is shown in Fig. 4(b) and (e, respectively. For Model B, the effect of ‘analyte Rl variation on loss spectrum is quite similar to that of Model A. ‘The analyte RI is varied from 1.93 to 1.97 for Model B. However, the loss spectrum shows significant changes from the other two models for Model C. The loss depths are found to be much higher in Model © ‘compared to Model A and B. Thies becouse of the insertion ofthe small hole in the core ofthe sensor. This tiny ai-hole splits the light to ‘words the surface rather than confined to the core, hence a huge in ‘crease in CL oceuts. Though loss dept has been increase i¢ woulda’. BOT TO TO HT SE wavelength (am) Wavelength (nm) (od Fig. 4. Loss speetrum withthe variation of analyte R fom 1.33 01.39 for (a) Model A, (b) Model B, and (e) Mode C be nn iste a Tong as the resonant wavelength shifts accordingly with the change in analyte RI which facilitates the detection process, Unlike the Model A and B, Model C can detect the analyte RI from 1.33 up to 1.40, which confirms the increase in the detection range of analyte. The resonant wavelength exhibits its shifting tendeney even after analyte RI 1,97 and extends to 1.40, ‘Table-1 summarizes the peak loss and resonance peak wavelength for Models A, B, and ©, For example, the lowest loss depth. of 16,125. dBi/em is found at RI 1.33 for 570 am wavelength and the highest loss depth of 674,943.84 dB/em Isat RI 1.40 at 820 nm wa: Velength for Model C. Shifting of resonant wavelength with the varie tion of analyte RI isa measure of sensitivity that con be computed by the equation of wavelength sensitivity as [24] S.UMIRIU) = Apa! @ Where aay denotes the peak wavelength shif for analyte RI variation, ng isthe difference between two sequential analytes Rl For Model A, the resonance wavelength shifts are found to be 20m, 20-nm, 50 nm, 50 nm when the analyte RI is varied from 1.33 to 1.34, 1.34 t0 1.35, 1.35 t0 1.36, and 1.36 to 1.37, respectively. Therefore, the theoretical wavelength sensitivities are caleulated as 2000 nm/RIU, 2000 nm/RIU, 5000 mm/RIU, and 5000 nm/RIU, re spectively using Eq, (4). Also, for Model B, the resonance wavelength shifts ae found to be 10 nm, 40 nm, 40 nm, and SO nm with analyte RL variation from 1.33 o 1.34, 1.34to 1.35, 1.35 to 1.36, and 1.36 t0 1.37, respectively. Therefore, the caleulated wavelength sensitivities are 1000 m/RIL, 4000 nm/RIU, 4000 nm/RIU and S000 na/RIU, re spectively (On the other hand, for Model C, the resonance wavelength shifts are found to be 30 nm, 20 am, Om, 20 nm, 40-nm, 50 nm, and 80 nm with the analyte RI varies from 1.33 101.34, 1.34 fo 1.35, 1.35 t0 1.36, 1.36 to 1.37, 1.37 to 1.38, 1.38 to 1.39 and 1.39 to 1.40, respectively Therefore, the theoretical wavelength sensitivities are caleulated as 3000 nm/RIU, 2000 nm/RIU, 0 mm/RIV, 3000 nn/RIU, 4000 nm /RIU, 5000 m/RIU and 8000 nm/RIU, respectively. Anather important parameter for designing a sensor is the sensor wavelength resolution. It ean be realized by the following equation (221 R(RIU) = An, X Adn/A2ae o Were Aye isthe maximum resonant wavelength shift for the change Of RI of analyte Ang, Syn is the minimum spectral resolution. As suming that un = 0.1 nm, dn, = 0.01, The maximum resonant wa Velength shifts)yqq ate found toe $0 nm, 60 nm, and 80 nm for Model |A, Model B, Model C, respectively. The calculated maximum sensor resolutions are 2 > 10" RIU, 2 10° RIU, and 1.25 * 10° RIU, respectively see Table 1). From the calculation, the maximum wavelength sensitivities forap vat ‘Table 1 Semin and i Semin Resech 29 (2020) 10368 Peformance comparison of Mode A,B and C RCF-Snsed SPR sensors by varying analyte refractive inden: Model Amivie RI Aive RI Peak Lom Reonance pak Resmace peat Wavelength Wavelgth——Ampitde Ample reaton irnce —(GBvem) wave (am) Cam) sem m/s (RU) seni (RL co au) 138 oot nace 610 16 100 1x10 185, 529 = 10 1 Oot mae | “ 4000 210s 319896 Bn 10? B13 oot mass at 0 4000 Beni? asa Bre 1? 136 oot ear 700 so S000 2x10 38 2a 10-7 137 oot mss 750 Na Na NA WA Na 135 oot seeks 6a 10 1000 <3 Sax 10 136 oot ares 60 0 200 500 x 10-$ ain 257 < 10-5 Model A,B, and C are $000 nm/RIU, 5000 nm/RIU, and 8000 nay/RIU ‘over the entre analyte RI range, respectively. In this ease, the cae lated maximum wavelength resolutions are 2 % 10-8, 2 » 10-* RIU ‘and 1.25 x 10° RIU, respectively. Besides, Amplitude sensitivity, which is another important pars ‘meters, can be expressed as [32]; 4 azn) aM) ony © s\n ‘where, a(n.) represent the CL when the refractive index isn. Also, a 0, n,) denotes the change in CL (a) due to shifting in two adjacent ‘analyte Ris. Amplitude sensitivity of Model A, B, and C are shown in Fig. Sta), (b), and), respectively where the analyte RI is changed from 1.33 to 1.37 for Model A and B while 1.23 o 1.40 for Model C. It is evident from the figures thatthe amplitude sensitivity increases dras- tically with the increment of analyte Rl. The maximum amplitude sensitivity of 416.991 RIU~*, 414.586 RIU~, and 1239.506 RIU" bbe achieved in Model A, B, and G, respectively using the amplitude interrogation method at the maximum analyte RI values. Using the amplitude interrogation method, the maximum sensor resolution has been obtained as 2.4 x 10-8, 2.412 10~® and 8.0677 x 10° RIU for Model A,B, and C, respectively (See Table 1) tshould be noted that ‘during the sonsor resolution calculation, anticipation ie mede on the fact that the sensor ean detect a minimum of 1% of the transmitted Intensity. Table 1 shows the complete performance comparison of Model A, B, and C, respectively, showing the variation of analyte RI Analyzing the data found from the calculation, several comments can be made, Model A and B show similar performance in terms of changing analyte RE as the core guiding mode in Model B is same asin Movie! A. However, the SPP mode is slightly different in those two ‘models, which doesn't seem to bean issue to make the sensor better oF worse, as the approximately same amount of light interacts at the in- terfaces of gold and analytes, The wavelength sensitivity and resolution face the same as S000 nm/RIU and 2 % 10-° RIL? respectively, for both Model A and B. These rwo models work well n the same detection range of 1.83-1.37. Thus, changing the air-hole postion ina rotation of 90" doesnt make a difference in the sensing performance. The max: {mum CL. Made! A and B fs found to be ~420 dB/em throughout the fntire RI range that been studied On the contrary, Model © exhibits CL ~ 16,195.8 4B/em, which is ‘much higher than in Model A and B. This is because ofthe scaled-down alrchole inthe center drives the light away from the core tothe surface (see Pig. 262). This eauses a high amount of CL in the fber, which is understandable as more light is coupled to the SPP mode from core mode at the resonance frequency. High loss depth may not be a big concern as long as it performs the detection process propecy. Moreover, high loss depth increases the intrusion ofthe field across the cladding section, This also fatlitates the sensing process because the advanced energy shifts from core mode to the SPP mode and interaction with analyte enhances. This accelerates the SPR mechanism for better lS S Za z 2 z iE 3 z : s 2 ae $. : Fon z eee a To ee oa TT aw ‘Wavelength (nm) wavelength (nm) ‘Wavelength (nm) (a) (0) () ig. 5. Amplitude senstvty with the variation of analyte RI or (a) Model A (b) Model B, and () Model Cap vat ‘detection which is quite evident in this study. The detection range in ‘Model Cis larger than that of Model A and B which stars at 1.38 goes ‘way up to 1.40 leaving the mark of large detection range. The max mum wavelength sensitivity is 8000 nm/RIU, better in Model C com- ‘pared to A and B. The amplituce sensitivity also gets better in Model C ‘Which is around 1239.506 RIU-' It is apparent that an ait-hole in ‘center improves the phase-matching coupling phenomena, hence offers ‘a better sensing performance as It helps to accumulate the evanescent electromagnetic Feld in the surface and later works as the stimull for surface electrons. It also helps to establish the phase-matching condi- tuon between the coreguided mode and SPP mode, 4. Conclusion [PCF based SPR sensor isa promising candidate in sensing different analytes for different fields of applications as it shows high sensitivity ‘with excellent resolution. One ofthe ertcal issues of designing sensors |s to maintain high sensitivity with a wide range of analytes RI. ‘Optimization of the design by placing air-holes in suitable positions promises better sensitivity and detection accuracy. This work en ‘deavored 10 explore the impact of PCF-based SPR sensor geometry on Its performance, and for that thee diferent geometrical configutations ‘were considered, The rotation ofthe ar-holes around the fiber axis oes not affect the sensitivity. However, itis seen that the placement of a Uny airhole in the middle of the PCF significantly improves the sen- stvity and resolution as it allows the guided light to spilt and interact ‘with the analyte at the meta-dielectrie interface. Besides, I increases the detection range (Le. RD of the analyte. 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