title: Enhanced sensitivity in injection-molded guided-mode-resonance sensors via low-index cavity layers.
abstract: We present an investigation on the use of low-index cavity layers to enhance the sensitivity of injection-molded guided-mode resonance (GMR) sensors. By adjusting the sputtering parameters, a low-index cavity layer is created at the interface between the waveguide layer and the substrate. Refractive index measurements show that a sensitivity enhancement of up to 220% is achieved with a cavity layer, in comparison to a reference GMR sensor without a cavity layer. Finite-element-method simulations were performed, and the results indicate that the cavities significantly redistribute the resonance mode profile and thus enhances the sensitivity. The present investigation demonstrates a new method for enhancing the sensitivity of injection-molded GMR sensors for high-sensitivity label-free biosensing.
authors.forename: Yi-Fan
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.forename: Hsun-Yuan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wen-Hsin
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Lai-Kwan
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Guo-En
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium