Improved scheme for the determination of methanol using a two-dimensional photonic crystal

This paper reports a new method of detecting the concentration (molL(-1)) of methanol by the use of a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab. Photonic band gap parameters are calculated using the plane wave expansion method. To find a model which has higher accuracy and practicality or applicability, fill factors used to analyze and compare the properties of the slab were computed. There is a linear proportional relationship between photonic band gap and dielectric constant of solution, which can be utilized to measure the concentration of methanol. The start frequency and the cutoff frequency also have a linear relationship with the dielectric constant of solution. The results show that a honeycomb lattice structure possesses better self-test functionality.