Peak type metal-clad waveguide sensor using negative index materials

Abstract

A four-layer metal-clad structure was considered as an optical sensor for refractometry applications. The structure had a negative index material (NIM) as a core layer. The structure parameters were chosen for so that the reflectance profile of the proposed structure shows a sharp peak, which is appropriate for sensing applications. The sensor was found to exhibit a considerable angular shift of the reflectance peak for small changes in the refractive index of the analyte, due to the NIM layer.