Sensitivity analysis of ring-shaped slotted photonic crystal waveguides for mid-infrared refractive index sensing

In this paper, the sensitivity of slotted photonic crystal waveguides (SPCW) with triangular lattice pattern of ring-shaped holes is analyzed in order to realize highly refractive index (RI) sensor devices at mid-infrared wavelengths. The sensing principle is based on the shift of the transmission spectrum edge of these specific ring hole SPCW waveguides giving rise to reinforced light-matter interaction. The 3D simulation results applied to silicon waveguides on membrane show that this guide geometry leads to a very high sensitivity to variations in the ambient environment index, with very dependent trends on the opto-geometric factors of the waveguides. As a matter of example, a 720 nm wavelength position band edge shift is predicted, corresponding to a sensitivity of more than 1450 nm per refractive index unit with a device insertion loss level of - 3 dB.