Design and Performance Investigation of Low-Cost, Highly Sensitive Ag-Ta2O5 Coated PCF-Based SPR Sensor

This paper uses numerical investigation to present an efficient photonic crystal fiber (PCF) surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. The proposed sensor is simulated and modelled by the finite element method (FEM). The plasmonic and analyte layers are utilized on the fiber’s exterior to ease practical implementation. Additionally, the designed sensor contains all the circular air holes, making it simpler and easier to fabricate using currently available techniques. Silver (Ag) and tantalum pentaoxide (Ta₂O₅) are used as plasmonic materials for surface plasmon generations and to achieve smooth coupling. The sensor achieves the maximum wavelength sensitivity of 22860 nm/RIU and amplitude sensitivity of 1758 1/RIU. Moreover, the sensor shows a wide refractive range of chemical sensing capabilities within 1.375-1.400. Due to the broad RI detection range, the proposed sensor can detect various biological cells, biochemicals, and food additives, making this sensor applicable in medical applications and food quality control.