Modeling of a Graphene Nanoribbon-based Microfluidic Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on a graphene nanoribbon array in a microfluidic flow cell operating in a flow-over format is studied. The optical response of the biosensor is numerically obtained by using rigorous couple wave analysis (RCWA). The performance of the biosensor is described in terms of the limit of detection, which is calculated as a function of key nanoribbon dimensional parameters, such as strip thickness and width, and fill fraction (nanoribbon width to array period ratio). The analysis shows that there are specific values of the fill fraction that optimize, that is, minimize, the limit of detection for particular nanoribbon dimensions. Fabrication issues are also discussed. This study is expected to assist in the design and implementation of SPR biosensors based on nanopatterned 2D materials.