Nanoscale plasmonic Metal-Insulator-Metal architecture for gas sensing applications

We propose a novel structure for a plasmonic gas sensor. The idea of operation is based on Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) approach. The plasmonic slot mode enables high confinement in the insulator gap which is the gas being sensed which leads to high sensitivity. High sensitivity and small foot print is achieved through this plasmonic design. Several optimization processes yield high sensitivity as high as 1,536 nm/RIU, FWHM down to 9.8 nm and FOM of 156 which is the greatest FOM to our knowledge.