Design and analysis of a high sensitivity open microchannel PCF-based surface plasmon resonance refractometric sensor

This paper presents a high-sensitivity dual-open microchannel PCF-SPR refractometric sensor that was numerically analyzed using the Finite Element Method (FEM). A dual-open microchannel was created on both sides of the fiber to facilitate analyte infiltration and improve its detection performance. The microchannel of PCF was coated with gold plasmonic material to achieve practical sensing. The results revealed that the refractive index sensing range of the proposed refractometric sensor is between 1.37 and 1.43, with a highest amplitude sensitivity of 3743.64 RIU-1 and a wavelength sensitivity of 33000 nm/RIU. Additionally, it offers a maximum resolution of 5.56 x 10-6 RIU. All structure parameters, such as air-hole length, pitch, open-channel radius, and gold thickness, are optimized. The proposed sensor is a significant improvement in the detection of multiple analytes in bio-sensing applications.