Plasmonic sensor for rapid detection of water adulteration in honey and quantitative measurement of lactose concentration in solution

• Published in: Results in physics Vol. 51; p. 106733
• Main Authors: Haque, Mohammad Ashraful, Rahad, Rummanur, Rakib, A.K.M., Sharar, Shadman Shahriar, Sagor, Rakibul Hasan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Figure of merit; Refractive index sensor; Sensing resolution; Sensitivity; Surface plasmon polariton; Surface plasmon polariton; Sensitivity; Refractive index sensor; Sensing resolution; Figure of merit
• ISSN: 2211-3797; 2211-3797
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rinp.2023.106733

In this article, a novel surface plasmon polariton-based plasmonic refractive index sensor is proposed and numerically investigated. It consists of a structure of an octagonal cavity resonator inside a square disk along with silver nanodots and two slits which are coupled to a straight metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguide arrangement. The finite element method (FEM) has been employed to perform a numerical analysis of the proposed structure in the near-IR (Infrared) and mid-IR spectrum. The sensor detects changes in refractive index in terms of changes in resonant wavelength which can be measured using an optical spectrum analyzer. The recorded maximum sensitivity is 2527.6 nm per refractive index unit (RIU) with a sensing resolution of 3.956×10−7 RIU. The proposed sensor has been further numerically analyzed, and its ability to measure the quality of honey samples and detect lactose concentration in a solution has been verified. •A novel surface plasmon polariton-based plasmonic refractive index sensor is proposed and thoroughly investigated through numerical analysis.•Numerical analysis using the finite element method (FEM) is employed to explore the sensor’s performance in the near-IR and mid-IR spectrum.•The proposed sensor is analyzed to assess its effectiveness in measuring the quality of honey samples.•The sensor demonstrates its versatility by successfully detecting lactose concentration in solution, expanding its potential applications.