Double V-groove dielectric loaded plasmonic waveguide for sensing applications

In this study, a novel double V-groove dielectric loaded plasmonic waveguide (DVG-DLPW) structure suitable for sensing applications is proposed and simulated. Two symmetrical V-grooves are cut into the vertical surfaces of the dielectric ridge to increase the interaction of analyte with the waveguide surface and increase sensing depth of surface plasmon polaritons while increasing propagation length of guided modes. The double V-groove dielectric ridge is placed on a graphene surface in order to use it as a sensitivity-enhancing material for plasmonic biosensors. A detailed analysis is performed of the sensing and propagation properties of this structure under different device parameters. The results show that under optimal conditions, the proposed plasmonic waveguide demonstrates not only longer propagation length but also a higher sensitivity compared to conventional graphene-based dielectric loaded plasmonic waveguides. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America