Design and measurement of dielectric sensor based on surface plasmon excitation

A chemical sensor based on surface plasmon excitation was constructed by deposited gold metal film directly on a prism. This chemical sensor has been optimized by use of computer simulation. Using the simulated optimum condition, we measured the reflectivity vs. position of the surface plasmon dip with different dielectric environment such as air, water, and ethanol. Calculated and experimentally measured performances are in good agreement. Furthermore, we also found and detailed the linearity of the deviation angle of the surface plasmon dip with different composition ethanol–water solutions.