Design optimization of a metal-assisted biochemical sensor based on nano-slots in silicon-on-insulator waveguide

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the potential of slot waveguide technology for use in biochemical detection. The technology allows for the confinement of light in sub-wavelength scales and low refractive index regions, resulting in increased interaction with target molecules. The study focused on a cross-slot waveguide made of silicon and assisted by metallic silver, which achieved a polarization-independent confinement factor of with an optimized dimension of of width, of width, height, offering greater sensitivity for detecting specific target molecules in complex biological samples. In addition, the study explored a slot waveguide with silver nanoparticles that generated a strong enhancement factor of , an average electric field of , radius of the nanoparticles, and of Silicon height and width respectively, a separation distance of and of wavelength, making it a promising design for analyzing samples in their natural and unaltered states. The findings have significant implications for the design of biochemical sensors, as the use of slot waveguide technology can help overcome the limitations of traditional biosensors, such as low sensitivity and poor selectivity. The confinement of light in sub-wavelength scales and low refractive index regions results in improved sensitivity and excellent selectivity, enabling the detection of specific target molecules in complex biological samples. These results could lead to the development of new and improved biochemical sensors that could revolutionize disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring.