High-performance refractive index sensor based on guided-mode resonance in all-dielectric nano-silt array

• Published in: Physics letters. A 2019-04, Vol.383 (13), p.1478-1482
• Main Authors: Lan, Guilian, Zhang, Song, Zhang, Hong, Zhu, Yuhang, Qing, Longyu, Li, Daimin, Nong, Jinpeng, Wang, Wei, Chen, Li, Wei, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: All-dielectric nano-silt array; Guided-mode resonance; Refractive index sensor
• ISSN: 0375-9601; 1873-2429
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physleta.2019.01.057

We propose a high-quality refractive index sensing by utilizing the characteristic guided-mode resonance (GMR) excited in a simple one-dimensional all-dielectric nano-slit array. We demonstrate a figure of merit up to 12000, which is higher than that achieved in most plasmonic refractive index sensors. We show that high-quality sensing performance can be sustained over a broadband range in near infrared region with relatively large variations in both grating depth and angle of incidence. Such a GMR-based all-dielectric sensing device with the ease of fabrication is expected to hold great promise for realizing broadband refractive index sensors with high performance and compactness. •High-quality refractive index sensing utilizing the guided-mode resonance (GMR) excited in a one-dimensional all-dielectric nano-slit array.•A figure of merit up to 12000 is obtained, higher than that achieved in most plasmonic refractive index sensors.•High-quality sensing performance can be sustained over a broadband range in near infrared spectral region.•Ease of fabrication, broadband refractive index sensors with high performance and compactness.