A Self-Referenced Refractive Index Sensor Based on Gold Nanoislands

We report on a self-referenced refractive index optical sensor based on Au nanoislands. The device consists of a random distribution of Au nanoislands formed by dewetting on a planar SiO2/metal Fabry-Perot cavity. Experimental and theoretical studies of the reflectance of this configuration reveal that its spectral response results from a combination of two resonances: a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) associated to the Au nanoislands and the lowest-order anti-symmetric resonance of the Fabry-Perot cavity. When the device is immersed in different fluids, the LSPR contribution provides high sensitivity to refractive index variations of the fluid, whereas those refractive index changes have little impact on the Fabry-Perot resonance wavelength, allowing its use as a reference signal. The self-referenced sensor exhibits a spectral sensitivity of 212 nm/RIU (RIU: refractive index unit), which is larger than those of similar structures, and an intensity sensitivity of 4.9 RIU-1. The proposed chip-based architecture and the low cost and simplicity of the Au nanoisland synthesis procedure make the demonstrated sensor a promising self-referenced plasmonic sensor for compact biosensing optical platforms based on reflection mode operation.

Automated summary

We present a self-referenced refractive index optical sensor utilizing Au nanoislands. The device consists of randomly distributed Au nanoislands on a planar SiO2/metal Fabry-Perot cavity. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the spectral response of the sensor is due to a combination of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and the lowest-order anti-symmetric resonance of the Fabry-Perot cavity. This self-referenced sensor provides high sensitivity to refractive index variations of different fluids while maintaining a stable reference signal. The proposed sensor has a spectral sensitivity of 212 nm/RIU and an intensity sensitivity of 4.9 RIU-1, making it a promising candidate for compact biosensing optical platforms.