Integrated optical SPR sensor based on mode conversion efficiency

A novel type of integrated optical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is proposed, for which the operational principle is based on the launching efficiency of eigenmodes in the sensor head. The sensor comprises an inverted-rib-type dielectric waveguide, a portion of which is covered with a thin gold layer. Eigenmodes in the sensor head are coupled modes of a surface plasmon polariton and a dielectric guided wave. The excitation efficiency of the coupled modes varies significantly depending on the refractive index of the analyte medium on the sensor head. Following this principle, the transmission coefficient of light through the sensor head can be used as a sensitive measure of the variation in the refractive index of the analyte medium.