Alcohol Detection Using Hexagonal-Shaped PCF-SPR Biosensor

This work proposes a surface plasmon resonance biosensor based on photonic crystal fiber that has a simple hexagonal structure for detecting the mixture of alcohol and water concentration. The numerical analysis and overall performance are assessed using the COMSOL Multiphysics software, which is based on the finite element approach. The concentration of alcohol is measured using an external sensing technique in the refractive index range of 1.27 to 1.41. In this model, a novel approach is employed wherein a metal strip composed of gold (Au) and titanium dioxide (TiO
2
) are selectively deposited exclusively along the four channels on the outer surface instead of the entire surface. The implementation of this targeted deposition technique not only addresses technical difficulties but also holds promise for cost reduction in the fabrication process. The greatest amplitude sensitivity of 477.24 RIU
⁻¹
and the highest wavelength sensitivity of 16,000 mm/RIU have been recorded. It also exhibits the highest sensor resolution of 9.44×l0
⁻⁶
RIU. Because of the sensor's exceptional detection capabilities, a range of biological and chemical compounds may be detected.