Refractive index dispersion sensing using an array of photonic crystal resonant reflectors

Journal Article · Mon Aug 10 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4928548· OSTI ID:22489077

Hermannsson, Pétur G.; Vannahme, Christoph; Smith, Cameron L. C.; Sørensen, Kristian T.; Kristensen, Anders ^[1]

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1. Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark, Ørsteds Plads, Building 345E, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby (Denmark)

Refractive index sensing plays a key role in various environmental and biological sensing applications. Here, a method is presented for measuring the absolute refractive index dispersion of liquids using an array of photonic crystal resonant reflectors of varying periods. It is shown that by covering the array with a sample liquid and measuring the resonance wavelength associated with transverse electric polarized quasi guided modes as a function of period, the refractive index dispersion of the liquid can be accurately obtained using an analytical expression. This method is compact, can perform measurements at arbitrary number of wavelengths, and requires only a minute sample volume. The ability to sense a material's dispersion profile offers an added dimension of information that may be of benefit to optofluidic lab-on-a-chip applications.

• OSTI ID: 22489077
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 107; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMPACTS
CRYSTALS
DISPERSIONS
FUNCTIONS
INFORMATION
LIQUIDS
REFRACTIVE INDEX
RESONANCE
WAVELENGTHS