Exploring Metallic Semi-Capped Nanoshells Chain for Sensing Applications

The optical properties of gold nanostructure chain, base on dielectric core/metallic semi-capped shell, have been investigated. The light-particles interactions were evaluated exploring Finite Element Method (FEM) based on full-wave field analysis in frequency domain with COMSOL Multiphysics. The simulation modeling approach focused on the assessment of the plasmonic spectral peak shift induced by environmental changes. Important parameters such as figure of merit (FoM) and refractive index sensitivity, which predict the performance of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor, were evaluated. Optimization of the sensor properties was obtained by tuning the semi-capped shell thickness. High values for refractive index sensitivity (RIS) and figure of merit (FoM) was found for the metallic semi-capped nanoshells of gold and silver (Au: RIS = 536 nm/RIU and FoM = 8.6 RIU
^-1
; Ag: 559 nm/RIU and FoM = 7.2 RIU
^-1
). The simulations results provide a base for the establishment of a new LSPR platform for sensing applications.