Computational Investigation of Advanced Refractive Index Sensor Using 3-Dimensional Metamaterial Based Nanoantenna Array

Photonic researchers are increasingly exploiting nanotechnology due to the development of numerous prevalent nanosized manufacturing technologies, which has enabled novel shape-optimized nanostructures to be manufactured and investigated. Hybrid nanostructures that integrate dielectric resonators with plasmonic nanostructures are also offering new opportunities. In this work, we have explored a hybrid coupled nano-structured antenna with stacked multilayer lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) and Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), operating at wavelength ranging from 400 nm to 2000 nm. Here, the sensitivity response has been explored of these nano-structured hybrid arrays. It shows a strong electromagnetic confinement in the separation gap (g) of the dimers due to strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The influences of the structural dimensions have been investigated to optimize the sensitivity. The designed hybrid coupled nanostructure with the combination of 10 layers of gold (Au) and Lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) or Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) (five layers each) having height, h(1) = h(2) = 10 nm exhibits 730 and 660 nm/RIU sensitivity, respectively. The sensitivity of the proposed hybrid nanostructure has been compared with a single metallic (only gold) elliptical paired nanostructure. Depending on these findings, we demonstrated that a roughly two-fold increase in the sensitivity (S) can be obtained by utilizing a hybrid coupled nanostructure compared to an identical nanostructure, which competes with traditional sensors of the same height, (h). Our innovative novel plasmonic hybrid nanostructures provide a framework for developing plasmonic nanostructures for use in various sensing applications.

Automated summary

Photonics researchers are increasingly utilizing nanotechnology to exploit prevalent nanosized manufacturing technologies and investigate novel shape-optimized nanostructures. Hybrid nanostructures that integrate dielectric resonators with plasmonic nanostructures are offering new opportunities. In this work, a hybrid coupled nano-structured antenna with stacked multilayer lithium tantalate (LiTaO3) and Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is explored, showing strong electromagnetic confinement and sensitivity response. Compared to a single metallic elliptical paired nanostructure, the hybrid nanostructure exhibits a roughly two-fold increase in sensitivity.