Numerical modeling of a dual-coated photonic crystal fiber SPR sensor for wide-range RI detection

Abstract An effective SPR sensor based on PCF featuring two coating layers is presented in this work, which is investigated through numerical analysis. The sensor’s behavior is studied by creating a simulation using the finite element method. To facilitate practical implementation, the fiber’s outside is coated with plasmonic and analyte layers. Furthermore, all of the round air holes are included in the planned sensor, which simplifies and facilitates its fabrication using existing methods. Tantalum pentaoxide (Ta 2 O 5 ) and Gold (Au) are employed as plasmonic materials for smooth coupling and surface plasmon production. The sensor’s highest achievable wavelength sensitivity is 21600 nm RIU −1 , while its peak amplitude sensitivity is 2248 1/RIU. Additionally, the sensor has a broad refractive range of chemical and biological detection capabilities, spanning from 1.375 to 1.400. The suggested sensor can detect a wide range of biological organisms, biochemicals, and food additives due to its broad RI range, making it useful for food quality control and medical applications.