Congratulations to our new paper ” One dimensional photonic crystal as an efficient tool for in-vivo optical sensing of neural activity ” by Foozieh Sohrabia, Seyedeh Mehri Hamidia,*, Nasrin Asgaria, Mohammad Ali Ansari, Roya Gachilooa
In this paper, we recorded optically the neural/neuromuscular activity of alive worm via phase-sensitive measurement while stimulating it optically using infrared laser. By supporting Tamm plasmon mode, our fabricated multilayer structure of Glass/(TiO2/SiO2)12/Au was used as a sensing platform. By fixing an earth worm to the gold side of the structure and using open optic measurements, the amplitude ratio (Ψ) and phase shift (Δ) of reflections under s- and p-polarized incident lights have been recorded for different frequencies and pulse duration of IR laser. By increasing the pulse duration to 17ms, Δ and Ψ values of Tamm Plasmon Polariton resonance for different frequencies have been splitted considerably in a regular trend. We hope that the combination of plasmonics and Tamm plasmon mode can open new insights into non-invasive neural/neuromusular stimulation and recording.
Ψ parameter for pulse duration time of (a) 3ms (b) 5ms (c) 8ms (d) 17ms for IR frequencies of 3 Hz, 5.5 Hz and 7 Hz at θ=30°.
Congratulations to our new paper “Bio-compatible and highly sensitive two-dimensional plasmonic sensor ” by A.S. Nasiri, S. M. Hamidi
We propose a novel bio-compatible two dimensional plasmonic sensor with array of ring and the hole structure on an optically thick gold film for biochemical sensing. We use finite-difference time-domain simulation for design and calculation of sensitivity in the Near-Infrared Region. The bio-compatible and cheap plasmonic Glycerol sensor with high sensitivity by interferometer style as a motif in the sensor’s structure. The proposed sensor can be applied as highly sensitivity sensor with a good linear response under different glycerol concentrations.
Congratulations to our new paper ” Electrically driven flexible two dimensional plasmonic structure based on nematic liquid crystal ” by Hossein Mbarak, Seyedeh Mehri Hamidi, Ezeddin Mohajerani and Z Zattar
A novel two dimensional active plasmonic grating based on liquid crystal (LC) infiltration is demonstrated by combining the plasmonic properties of the gold nanostructure and the optical properties of the liquid crystal. In this structure, a thin layer of E7 liquid crystal was typically injected onto a gold nanostructure, deposited on a PDMS substrate, using nanoimprint lithography method. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the fabricated plasmonic structure can be controlled by changing the refractive index of LC, which was achieved with an external electric field. LC molecules confined between the gold nanostructure and an indium–tin-oxide (ITO) glass are randomly aligned, and they can exhibit a reversible refractive index, depending on their orientation under the external voltage and the polarization of the incident light. Results demonstrates that the wavelength of the resonance peak can be red shifted by the electric field-dependent refractive index of liquid crystal. This experimental work provides us an active control of surface plasmon resonance using liquid crystal which can act as an ideal active medium for different applications such as low voltage sensor with the sensitivity of 0.4375nm/V.
Recognizing special molecules is crucial in many biochemical processes, and thus, highly enhanced sensing methods are in high demand. In this work, we designed a microrod array metasurface with a SiO2-loaded subwavelength lithium niobate waveguide as a unique platform for enhanced experimental fingerprint detection of lactose. The metasurface could lead to strong surface wave modes due to the near-field coupling of the spoof localized surface plasmon, which also could provide a stronger interaction length between light and matter. The selectivity was remarkable in the transmission spectrum at an intrinsic characteristic frequency of 0.529 THz with a thin layer of lactose, while it was faint while transmitting terahertz (THz) waves normally through a lactose layer of the same thickness. Together with the ability to freely design the shape of the metasurface and the electromagnetic properties, we believe that this platform can function as an elegant on-chip-scale enhanced THz sensing platform.
(a) Schematic of THz detection of an analyte using a microrod array metasurface as an on-chip sensor. A column of y-polarized dipoles located inside the LN waveguide is used to excite THz waves (blue oscillation signal). The thickness of the SiO2 layer is h¼2 lm. The inset shows the detailed design parameters: p, a, l and g are 20, 10, 55, and 15 lm, respectively. (b) Enhanced field confined to the surface of the composite structure. (c) and (d) Distribution of the field components Ey and Ez at f¼0.529 THz.
In summary, we show the potential of a platform relying on a microrod array metasurface with a SiO2-loaded LN subwavelength waveguide as a generic design for THz sensing. Remarkable selectivity can be seen from the experimental and simulated transmission spectra with a minute amount of the analyte. The stronger confinement of surface wave modes owing to near-field SLSP coupling and the longer interaction length along the waveguide would effectively increase the molecular absorption, thereby enabling detection of a thin lactose layer. Meanwhile, the results agree well with each other. This is difficult to distinguish with normally incident THz waves transmitting through a lactose of the same thickness without a metasurface. The myriad of geometries for the composite structure provides engineers with enormous flexibility to design sensing platforms that operate over a broad range of frequencies. We believe that this platform is truly simple and efficient while providing a versatile method for enhanced fingerprint detection in the THz regime. This would bring THz sensing benefits to mainstream applications.
Congratulations to our new paper “Role of higher order plasmonic modes in one-dimensional nanogratings ” by Foozieh Sohrabi, Seyedeh Mehri Hamidi, Ershad Mohammadi
By theoretically investigating the optical behavior of one-dimensional gold nanogratings using Fourier Modal Method, we have shown that both integer and non-integer multiples of surface plasmon polariton wavelengths should be taken into consideration in special optical contrast ratio for highly sensitive sensing. The emergence of higher modes is the key factor for the formation of observed plasmonic band gap. Through considering the significant role of grating period and thickness respectively in horizontal and vertical surface resonances, it was demonstrated that for gold thicknesses below 100 nm, the dominant phenomenon is horizontal surface resonances while for increased thicknesses both horizontal and vertical surface resonances mediate. The transmission minima are insensitive to the grating thickness, which confirms that their origins are not vertical surface resonances. This study can open an avenue towards designing highly sensitive sensors with focus not only on the plasmonic resonance wavelength but also on its integer and non-integer multiples whose origins should be investigated in both horizontal and vertical surface resonances.
Plant leaves have a natural superpower—they’re designed with water repelling characteristics. Called a superhydrophobic surface, this trait allows leaves to cleanse themselves from dust particles. Inspired by such natural designs, a team of researchers at Texas A&M University has developed an innovative way to control the hydrophobicity of a surface to benefit to the biomedical field. applications in the biomedical field including biosensing, lab-on-a-chip, blood-repellent, anti-fouling and self-cleaning applications. Superhydrophobic materials are used extensively for self-cleaning characteristic of devices. However, current materials require alteration to the chemistry or topography of the surface to work. This limits the use of superhydrophobic materials. “Designing hydrophobic surfaces and controlling the wetting behavior has long been of great interest, as it plays crucial role in accomplishing self-cleaning ability,” Gaharwar said. “However, there are limited biocompatible approach to control the wetting behavior of the surface as desired in several biomedical and biotechnological applications.” The Texas A&M design adopts a ‘nanoflower-like’ assembly of two-dimensional (2-D) atomic layers to protect the surface from wetting. The team recently released a study published in Chemical Communications. 2-D nanomaterials are an ultrathin class of nanomaterials and have received considerable attention in research. Gaharwar’s lab used 2-D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a new class of 2-D nanomaterials that has shown enormous potential in nanoelectronics, optical sensors, renewable energy sources, catalysis and lubrication, but has not been investigated for biomedical applications. This innovative approach demonstrates applications of this unique class of materials to the biomedical industry.
This innovative technique opens many doors for expanded applications in several scientific and technological areas. The superhydrophobic coating can be easily applied over various substrates such as glass, tissue paper, rubber or silica using the solvent evaporation method. These superhydrophobic coatings have wide-spread applications, not only in developing self-cleaning surfaces in nanoelectronics devices, but also for biomedical applications. Specifically, the study demonstrated that blood and cell culture media containing proteins do not adhere to the surface, which is very promising. In addition, the team is currently exploring the potential applications of controlled hydrophobicity in stem cell fate.
Congratulations to our new paper “Adjustable plasmonic bandgap in one-dimensional nanograting based on localized and propagating surface plasmons” by Foozieh Sohrabi and Seyedeh Mehri Hamidi.
Compared to the long history of plasmonic gratings, there
are only a few studies regarding the bandgap in the propagation of plasmonic
surface waves. Considering the previous studies on interpretation of plasmonic
bandgap formation, we discuss this phenomenon using the effect of both surface
plasmon polariton (SPP) and localized surface plasmon (LSP) for our fabricated
one-dimensional metallic-polymeric grating. This structure is composed of
metallic grating on the surface of PDMS with different concentration of
embedded gold nanoparticles. By sweeping the incident angles, we have seen that
the SPP, LSP and their coupling cause two gaps in reflection regime which are
originated from SPP supported by thin film gold film and LSP supported by gold
nanoparticles. The first gap is attributed to the patterned metallic film
because it vanishes by increasing the nanoparticles which may destroy the
pattern while the second gap can be formed by embedded nanoparticles because it
becomes more considerable by raising the incubation time. Therefore, the drowning time of patterned
samples (e.g. 24h. 48h and 72h) in HAuCl4 plays the key role in adjustability
of plasmonic bandgap. Notably, the interaction between SPP and LSP can be the
origin of the shift in gap center from 300 to 550. To best of over knowledge,
this study is the first study on the plasmonic band gap as a function of both
SPP and LSP.
