Parametric analysis of multi-layer metallo-dielectric coupled plasmonic resonant structures using homo and hetero-bimetallic nanofilms

Performance of several bimetallic multi-layer metallo-dielectric plasmonic structures has been analyzed three-dimensionally, along with their reflectance contour plots. Use of dielectric-metal-metal (DMM) and metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) blocks within a composite multilayer plasmonic structure is the main issue of this investigation, which has been validated by results incorporating variation of thickness of dielectric as well as choice of different metallic nanofilms. Resonance curves based on the Fresnel equations provide a comparative analysis as far as the detection accuracy is concerned. Three-dimensional resonance curves with simultaneous representation of angular and wavelength interrogation, along with reflectance contour plots with due consideration of the material dispersion, give some insight into the changes in coupling effect for different plasmonic resonant structures. Moreover, some interesting results are provided for thickness variation of the metal layer for two different configurations of bimetallic plasmonic structures. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.