title: Nanoantenna harmonic sensor: theoretical analysis of contactless detection of molecules with light.
abstract: The nonlinear harmonic sensor is a popular wireless sensor and radiofrequency identification (RFID) technique, which allows high-performance sensing in a severe interference/clutter background by transmitting a radio wave and detecting its modulated higher-order harmonics. Here we introduce the concept and design of optical harmonic tags based on nonlinear nanoantennas that can contactlessly detect electronic (e.g. electron affinity) and optical (e.g. relative permittivity) characteristics of molecules. By using a dual-resonance gold-molecule-silver nanodipole antenna within the quantum mechanical realm, the spectral form of the second-harmonic scattering can sensitively reveal the physical properties of molecules, paving a new route towards optical molecular sensors and optical identification (OPID) of biological, genetic, and medical events for the 'Internet of Nano-Things'.
authors.affiliation: Division of Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farhat
authors.forename: Mark M C
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Khai Q
authors.initials: KQ
authors.lastname: Le
authors.forename: Pai-Yen
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D008027:Light; D036103:Nanotechnology; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011789:Quantum Theory; D057233:Radio Frequency Identification Device; D011846:Radio Waves; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012834:Silver; D006046:Gold