Metamaterial-Based Label-Free Chemical Sensors for the Detection of Volatile Organic Solutions

Three metamaterials-based label-free chemical sensors for volatile organic solutions sensing are demonstrated. They are complementary circle metamaterial (CCM), complementary square metamaterial (CSM), and complementary U-shape metamaterial (CUM) compared to fill without and with various kinds of volatile organic solutions. The sensitivities of devices are 274.37 nm/RIU, 684.21 nm/RIU, 727.27 nm/RIU for CCM, CSM, and CUM, respectively. The figure-of-merit of CUM can be enhanced 3.36-fold and 1.28-fold compared to that of CCM and CSM, respectively. This sensing approach can successfully recognize inorganic and organic solutions for chemical sensors in mid-IR wavelength range.