Novel D-shape LSPR fiber sensor based on nano-metal strips

In this study, a novel D-shaped localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) fiber sensor was introduced. The construction of this sensor involved etching of a single-mode fiber on the cladding layer and core layer, followed by plating using nano-metal strips. The design and calculations of the entire sensor were based on a numerical simulation method combining the finite element method (FEM) and the eigenmode expansion method (EEM). By using graphical representations of the algorithm results, the excitation of the LSPR was clearly observed. The finished D-shaped LSPR fiber sensor possesses several excellent properties, including a short length (2494.4301 mu m), high resolution (approximately 35 dB), and high sensitivity (approximately 20183.333 nm/RIU). In addition, compared with LPG-SPR fiber sensor, the framework provides three advantages, namely, a fabrication process that is compatible with semiconductor fabrication, as well as the low-temperature cross-talk and high-temperature stability of surface grating. (C) 2013 Optical Society of America