Enhanced detection limit by dark mode perturbation in 2D photonic crystal slab refractive index sensors

We demonstrate for the first time a 300nm thick, 300 mu m x 300 mu m 2D dielectric photonic crystal slab membrane with a quality factor of 10,600 by coupling light to slightly perturbed dark modes through alternating nano-hole sizes. The newly created fundamental guided resonances greatly reduce nano-fabrication accuracy requirements. Moreover, we created a new layer architecture resulting in electric field enhancement at the interface between the slab and sensing regions, and spectral sensitivity of >800 nm/RIU, that is, >0.8 of the single-mode theoretical upper limit of spectral sensitivity. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America