Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11468-020-01331-3

Mid‑infrared Biosensor Based on Bloch Surface Mode Excitation

in Truncated One‑Dimensional Ternary Photonic Crystal Under
Kretschmann Configuration
Mahendra Kumar1 · Surendra Prasad1

Received: 15 August 2020 / Accepted: 9 November 2020 / Published online: 11 January 2021
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021

Abstract
We have theoretically investigated the performance of mid-infrared (mid-IR) sensitive biosensor constructed by truncated
one-dimensional (1D) ternary photonic crystal (TPC) on the prism base under Kretschmann configuration coupling technique.
The control over resonance wavelength (RW) of the excited Bloch surface modes (EBSMs) for the case of incident transverse
magnetic polarized electromagnetic waves (EMWs) has been shown. The band structures and the reflection spectra of the
considered model are computed using transfer matrix method (TMM). The variation in different design parameters of
the theoretically constructed biosensor, such as thickness of the truncation layer, refractive index of the sensing medium,
and number of unit cells in photonic crystal (PC), allows us to have good control over the resonance wavelengths in fixed
frequency regime of the PBGs. The excitation of BSMs is characterized by a dip in the reflectance spectra. The measured
sensitivity of the sensor is 10−3 orders of magnitude sensitive to the change in dc and dt values.

Keywords Bloch surface waves · Kretschmann configuration · Sensitivity · Ternary photonic crystal

Introduction surface studies is valuable when we speak of design of sensing

Lord Rayleigh was the first person to investigate periodic
laminated 1D structures in 1887. Since then, no one used
the term PC until Yablonovitch, the progenitor of the term
“Photonic Crystal”, along with Sajeev John in 1987 published
two milestone papers [1, 2] which propelled the study of
periodic stratified structures in higher dimensions leading to
diverse applications in various fields namely, spectroscopy,
bio-chemical sciences, information technology, detection and
imaging, telecommunication, industry, and security [3–5]. The
PC structures are naturally occurring or artificially designed
periodic multilayered structures that exhibit photonic band
gaps (PBGs) which support Bloch surface waves (BSWs) at the
truncated or untruncated interfaces, thereby enabling the study
of surface interactions in controlled manner. Such structures can
be tuned to support BSWs in any desired frequency domain of
the electromagnetic spectrum by varying the model parameters
of the periodically stratified structures. The prime application of
* Surendra Prasad
prasads@bhu.ac.in
1
Department of Physics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu
University, 221005 Varanasi, India
platforms because such platforms are excellent tool to gear light-
matter interactions at will. The excitation of BSWs is possible by
employing a coupler which couples the incident light and BSWs
by either of the two coupling techniques Otto configuration or
Kretschmann configuration. The excitation of BSWs is similar to
that of surface plasmon polariton (SPPs) but with much superior
properties [6] like wide range of operating wavelength (due to
absence of metal layer), high field enhancement, high sensitivity,
longer propagation distances, control over leakage loss (by
varying the number of unit cells), etc. Unlike SPPs, BSWs
can be excited for both transverse electric (TE) and transverse
magnetic (TM) polarized EMWs. Additionally, in BSW
excitation, the absorption loss is eliminated due to the absence
of metallic layer which causes a sharp and narrow resonance
dip in the reflection spectra with much lower value of full width
half maxima (FWHM) leading to higher figure of merit (FOM)
[7]. A dip in the reflection spectra signifies that the wave vector
of incident light matches with the BSW wave vector. So, the
coupling of light at the interface leads to high electromagnetic
field localization at the interface of the PC and the sensing
medium (analyte). The nature of BSWs is recognized by the
decay of non-radiative optical field normal to the interface plane.
The excitation of BSWs was first observed in 1970s [8] but came

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into real-life applications in the past two decades with regard to
sensing applications in the growing fields of surface-enhanced
Raman scattering (SERS) and optical biosensors.
Though there are unlimited number of materials available
for design of biosensor, we have focused our attention in the
mid-IR domain where only limited number of linear and non-
linear materials are available. In this communication, we will
be restricted( to confinement of BSWs in mid-IR ) frequency
domains 500 − 5000cm−1 or15 − 150THz as it offers
wide range of applications in various fields extending from
nanomaterial sciences to chemical and biological sciences
[9]. Lots of research works related to BSM excitation have
been done in visible [10, 11], near-IR [7, 12–14], and far-IR
[15] ranges. Least has been explored regarding excitation
of BSMs in mid-IR range and this is why we opted to work
in this frequency domain. The excited modes in mid-IR
range offer large potential applications towards design of
sensors, optical devices, optical resonators, waveguides, etc.
Also, mid-IR range consists of two atmospheric windows
providing ease for optical and broadband communication.
The position of excited BSWs in the PBGs can be adjusted
either near the center or near the edges by varying the thickness
of the add layer. This provides a good opportunity to have better
control over the confinement of BSWs (or Bloch modes) for
suitable coupling of incident EMWs with BSWs depending
upon the need of the appropriate application. Since mid-IR
Fig. 1  Theoretical model of sensor illustrating coupling of TM-
polarized light, incident at an angle 𝜃0 , with the BSWs via a prism
under Kretschmann configuration
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Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932
frequency domain is known as the molecular finger print
region, the confinement of Bloch surface modes (BSMs)
helps in design of sensors especially chemical sensor, trace
gas sensor, and biological sensors, because for most of the
molecules, the absorption pattern is well known which is due
to the fact that the vibrational energies of most of the molecules
match well with the incident photon energies in this frequency
range [3]. It is also important to mention some other types of
BSWs that exist with only real part of Bloch wave vector, and
hence, they do not lie inside the PBGs [16], i.e., EE (extending
both in PC and surrounding medium which is transmitted), ED
(extending in surrounding medium and decaying in PC which is
externally reflected), and DE (decaying in surrounding medium
and extending in PC which is internally reflected) surface states.
Throughout the paper, we will only discuss about the BSWs
with complex Bloch wave vector, i.e., DD (decaying both in
PC and surrounding medium) surface states (called as BSMs).
Model and Material Specification
The theoretical model of considered biosensor is contrived from
truncated 1D TPC fabricated on the base of fused silica prism
of refractive index (R.I.) np = 1.445 [12] under Kretschmann
configuration coupling technique. The analysis is done for the
incident TM-polarized EMWs.
Figure 1 shows a truncated 1D TPC fabricated on the
prism base. The normalized wave vector along the interface is
β = np sin𝜃0. The periodicity of the TPC is terminated by the add
layer (dc). The add layer is exposed to the analyte or the sensing
medium on which the excited Bloch surface modes (EBSMs)
are supported with decaying fields normal to the xy−interface
plane. The PC structure (having periodicity Λ = d1 + d2) con-
sists of N number of unit cells, each comprising three layers of
Fig. 2  Dispersion curve of the TPC for incident TM-polarized elec-
tromagnetic wave
Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932 925

thickness dt, d2, and (d1 − dt ) having corresponding R.I. of n1, M11 + M22
n2, and n1, respectively.
cos(KΛ) = , (3)
2
The present work deals with BSM excitation and its control
over excitation frequency in mid-IR frequency domain using where K is defined as the Bloch wave number, M11 and M22
TPC structure. For this purpose, we have chosen two, air are the diagonal elements of the transfer matrix or unit cell trans-
stable and thermally stable, infrared transparent materials— lation matrix obtained after solving 2 × 2 TMM [29]. By apply-
Y2O3 (yttria) [17, 18] and B­ 4C (boron carbide) to construct the ing Bloch-Floquet theorem, the solution of Hill’s differential
TPC with the add layer made of Y ­ 2O3. The physicochemical equation inside the periodic layered medium is obtained, which
properties of boron carbide highly depend on the atomic is superposition of two BSWs.
percentage of carbon (at.% of C). Depending upon the at.% The TMMs enable us to find the reflectance and transmit-
of C, boron carbide exists in both crystalline and amorphous tance spectra of the considered structure by employing the use
phase [19]. In the present model, we have considered its of a much simpler approach—the Abeles theory [29]. According
crystalline frame of network, which expands over a wide phase to this theory, a polarization-dependent matrix MP is
homogeneity range varying from 8.8 to 20at.% of C, i.e., ­B11C [ ( ) −i ( ) ]
cos 𝛿k sin 𝛿k
(boron-rich limit) to ­B4.3C (carbon-rich limit), respectively. MP = ( ) qk (4)
Therefore, the density and band gap both vary with carbon −iqk sin 𝛿k cos(𝛿 k )
concentration. ­B4C is the carbon-rich limit case (20at.% of
C—electron-rich composition) of the homogeneity range defined for each layer of the stratified structure and the char-
showing a very high absorption in the range of electronic acteristic matrix calculated for a single unit cell is
transition, i.e., 190 − 750nm. The amorphous phase of boron 3
∏
[ ]
M11 M12
carbide is attained by increasing the carbon content close to MC = MP ≡ (5)
M21 M22
50at.% of C, and further increasing the carbon content (above k
50at.%), the structure becomes highly graphitic.
where k = 1, 2, and 3 for layers of R.I. n1, n2, and n1, respec-
To elucidate, the optical properties of B ­ 4C greatly depend
tively. The band structures of considered PC structure obtained
upon its preparation or fabrication technique which influences
using Eq. (3) are plotted in Fig. 2. Here, black region repre-
some of its properties like elastic modulus, enthalpy of forma-
sents allowed band and white region represents PBGs.
tion, specific weight, etc. [20–22]. It is the third hardest mate-
Then, the matrix MC is raised to the power N (N is the num-
rial after diamond and cubic boron nitride. The R.I. of ­B4C is
ber of unit cells considered in the PC) to obtain the TPC matrix
n2 = 3.2016 which is calculated using set of optical constants n
as:
and k in the infrared region by Kramers–Kronig dispersion rela-
tion at a wavelength of 15.4 μm [23–25] and the R.I. of Y ­ 2O3 is [ ]N
MPC = MC (6)
n1 = 1.8427 at 4.85 μm [26, 27].
The final matrix (MF ) is obtained by separately multiplying
Formalism the dc layer matrix with the TPC matrix as

In our analysis, we have considered propagation of TM-

polarized EMW incident on the prism from air (n0 = 1) trav-
elling along the z-direction. Hence, the magnetic and electric
field components(in the Cartesian
) coordinate system can be
simply written as 0, Hy , 0 and (Ex , 0, Ez ), respectively [28].
Therefore, the expressions for electric field (E) and magnetic
field (H) that satisfy Maxwell’s equation are written as:

H = Hy (z) ei(𝛽0 x−𝜔t)̂

y (1)

x + Ez (z) ̂z] ei(𝛽0 x−𝜔t)

E = [Ex (z) ̂ (2)

where 𝛽0 ( x-component of wave vector) is the conserved

quantity in all layers of TPC, 𝜔 is the angular frequency,
E(z) and H(z) are the complex amplitudes of electric and
magnetic fields, respectively. The band structure is computed
using the dispersion relation: Fig. 3  Band diagram of the TPC for TM-polarized wave showing
colored dots which represents EBSMs

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926 Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932

Fig. 4  Reflection spectra

illustrates the excitation of three
BSMs (characterized by dips)
for the value of dc = 0.3d1,
dt = 0.2d1, and 𝜃0 = 52
◦

( [ ]) ( ) ( )
m11 m12 | m11 + m12 qs qp − m21 + m22 qs |2
MF = MPC Mdc ≡
m21 m22 (7) |
R = |( ) ( )|
|
(8)
| m +m q q + m +m q |
| 11 12 s p 21 22 s |
The wave vector ( for
) each layer of the unit cell is defined
as 𝛿𝛼 = c n𝛼 d𝛼 cos 𝜃𝛼 and the angle at which light is inci-
𝜔

dent on each layer of the unit cell is [ ndetermined by the

sin(𝜃 )
] Results and Discussion
Snell’s law of refraction as 𝜃𝛼 = sin−1 0 n 0 , where 𝜃0 is
𝛼
the angle of incidence of p-polarized EMWs from air onto The excitation of BSWs under the proposed coupling
the prism-TPC structure and 𝛼 = 1, 2, 3, p and s (subscripts technique leads to the confinement of excited Bloch surface
1, 2, and 3 are for three layers of the a unit cell, p for the modes (EBSMs) in the 3rd PBG of the dispersion curve. The
prism, and s for the analyte). The optical admittance of the entire analysis has been done for the case of TM-polarized
cos(𝜃 )
layers is defined as q𝛼 = n 𝛼 . The reflectance of the con- waves incident at an angle of 52 . The colored dots in Fig. 3
◦

𝛼
sidered TPC-based biosensor is given by the formula, (3rd PBG) show three EBSMs localized at the analyte and

Fig. 5  Magnetic field pro-

file plotted for the EBSM
with 𝜔 = 2.545 × 1014 rad∕s,
dc = 0.3d1, and dt = 0.2d1

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Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932
Fig. 6  Intensity profile |H|2
is plotted for EBSM with
𝜔 = 2.545 × 1014 rad∕s,
dc = 0.3d1, and dt = 0.2d1.
Color bar indicates the intensity
of field, which gradually dimin-
ishes as we go away from z = 0
TPC interface. The considered frequency range varies from
( 2 × 1014 rad∕s to 3 × 1014 rad∕s ) 31THz to 48THz with
model parameters as d1 = 2𝜇m , d2 = 4𝜇m , and N = 11.
Due to the coupler (prism), the wave vector of incident
EMWs becomes greater than BSW wave vector which result
in coupling of incident EMWs with BSWs when(the incident )
angle is greater than the critical angle 𝜃c = sin−1 ns ∕np . For
the present case, 𝜃c is calculated to be 43.7919 . We have
◦
considered incident angle of EMWs greater than 𝜃c . For the
sake of simplicity, we have initially considered the analyte
to be air. The three computed dots in Fig. 3 correspond to
three excitation frequencies (as shown in Fig. 4) for the value
of dc = 0.3d1, keeping dt constant at 0.2d1, and is given as
−𝜔 = 2.532 × 1014 rad∕s for red dot, 𝜔 = 2.545 × 1014 rad∕s
for blue dot, and 𝜔 = 2.566 × 1014 rad∕s for pink dot close
to the upper edge of the PBGs.
Fig. 7  Reflectance plot of
EBSMs shown for different
thickness of the dc layer for
dt = 0.2d1
927
BSWs have longer penetration length as compared with
SPPs. Therefore, EBSMs offer a good coupling efficiency
for various types of sensing platforms.
From the reflection spectra as shown in Fig. 4, we can
say that the three excitation frequencies, ranging from
2.532 × 1014 rad∕s (near the center) to 2.566 × 1014 rad∕s
(close to the edge), are a consequence of matching of Bloch
wave vector and the incident EMW wave vector. As evident,
FWHM of the EBSMs increases that goes from center towards
the edge. So, a mode near the center gives good sensitivity.
The reflection dips indicate that the structure offers high trans-
mittance or negligible reflection to a particular frequency
value for a particular angle of incidence. Depending upon the
requirement of the application, we can appropriately choose
the excitation frequency from Fig. 4 either close to the edge
or close to the center of the PBGs. In the present analysis, we
13
928
Fig. 8  Reflectance plot of
EBSMs represented by reso-
nance dips, for different R.I.
values of the analyte
have chosen 𝜔 = 2.545 × 1014 rad∕s (blue dot from Fig. 3)
to show the effect of varying dc layer thickness on the per-
formance of the sensor very near to the mid of the PBG. The
magnetic field profile at 𝜔 = 2.545 × 1014 rad∕s has been plot-
ted in Fig. 5 and field intensity |H|2 is plotted in Fig. 6.
Figure 7 shows EBSMs confined for different thickness of
the add layer while keeping the value of dt constant at 0.2d1.
We observe that as the thickness of the dc layer increases
from 0.3d1 to 0.7d1, the resonance dip of the EBSMs shifts
toward lower frequency side or higher wavelength side.
Also, as dc increases, the reflectance increases from 3.20%
(at dc = 0.3d1) to 57.69% (at dc = 0.7d1) implying that the
coupling between incident light and the BSM is becoming
weaker. The sensitivity of the sensor based on the effect of
thickness of add layer ( dc ) is given by Sdc = Δ𝜆∕Δdc . The
structure is sensitive to the change in dc value measured up
to 0.005.
Fig. 9  FWHM is plotted as a
function of ns
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Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932
For the same incidence angle ( 52 ), we can further
◦
study the spectral response of the sensor by varying the
R.I. of the analyte for the constant value of dc (= 0.3d1 )
and dt (= 0.2d1 ) . From the reflectance curve in Fig. 8, it is
observed that the reflectance greatly increases from 8.68 to
51.88% as ns is varied from 1.170 to 1.191, respectively, in
intervals of 0.003. So, as we go from ns = 1.170 to 1.191,
the coupling becomes much weaker. Also, the change in
the R.I. of the analyte ( ns ) produces no shift in the reso-
nance dip of the EBSMs.
If we carefully analyze Fig. 8, then it is observed that
there is change in full width at half maxima (FWHM) with
slight change in R.I. of analyte. As depicted in Fig. 9,
FWHM increases with increase in ns values. So, this
(FWHM) can be used to monitor the sensing performance.
It is observed that a lower value of FWHM establishes bet-
ter performance of the sensor.
Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932 929

Fig. 10  Reflectance plot of

EBSMs plotted for different dt
values, at constant dc value of
0.3d1

The set of data points shown in Fig. 9 is tabulated below the reflectance dips are observed to shift towards higher-
which quantifies FWMH with variation in the ns values. frequency side with increase in dt value from 0.2d1 to 0.4d1,
in step size of 0.05d1. It is clear that the coupling efficiency
ns values FWHM ns values FWHM becomes poor with increase in dt value because the reflec-
(𝜇m) (𝜇m)
tance significantly increases from 3.20% (at dt = 0.2d1) to
×10−4 ×10−4
44.70% (at dt = 0.4d1).
1.170 3 1.182 13 The sensitivity of the sensor (Sdt = Δ𝜆∕Δdt ) towards
1.173 6 1.185 15 the change in dt value is measured up to 0.001. One of
1.176 9 1.188 17 the important model parameter is the value of N (number
1.179 11 1.191 18 of unit cells) which also allows us to have superior con-
trol over the RW. The number of EBSMs increases as N
The measured quality factor (Q.F. = 𝜆0 ∕Δ𝜆 ) changes increases. This is well illustrated in Fig. 11. Consequently,
from 24, 687 to 4114 as ns increases from 1.170 to 1.191, we get a good option to choose desired BSM with needed
respectively. propagation lengths for different practical applications.
Further, it is also necessary to mention that control over The increment in the number of unit cell leads to
the RW can also be achieved by varying thickness of dt layer, increased number of EBSMs within the same PBGs.
keeping the value of dc constant. It is shown in Fig. 10 that

Fig. 11  Variation of number of

unit cells of PC with the number
of EBSMs having fixed param-
eters as dt = 0.2d1, dc = 0.3d1,
and 𝜃0 = 52
◦

13
930 Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932

Fig. 12  Enlarged view of Fig. 2

illustrating variation in the num-
ber of unit cells of the TPC for
fixed dt = 0.2d1, dc = 0.3d1, and
𝜃0 = 52 . Figure depicts that an
◦

increase in the number of unit

cells increases the number of
EBSMs, as shown via colored
dots plotted in the PBG of the
band diagram

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Plasmonics (2021) 16:923–932
The higher value of N makes the structure more flexible
to choose the desired excitation frequency from the PBGs.
From Fig. 12, it is clear that as N increases, the number
of EBSMs in the 3rd PBG increases. From Fig. 12a, it is
observed that for N = 6, there are only two EBSMs, and
from Fig. 3 for N = 11, three EBSMs are observed. As
shown in Fig. 12b when N = 13, four EBSMs are obtained.
Further, when N = 17 (Fig. 12c), five EBSMs are obtained.
Conclusions
The excitation of BSWs is only possible via a coupler,
prism in the present case, which increases the wave vector
of incident TM-polarized EMWs to couple with the BSW
wave vector. Without a coupling mechanism, the excitation
of BSWs is not possible. The control over RW is acquired
by varying the design parameters of the model – dt , dc , and
N. It is obvious that the effect of changing these param-
eters causes either weaker or stronger coupling. Depend-
ing upon the need of the sensing application, there is good
chance to select a particular RW from the reflection spec-
tra as required to probe the sensing medium. Additionally,
for constant values of dt , dc , and ns , the variation of N
establishes more control over the RW. A longer propaga-
tion length can be selected by choosing EBSMs near the
edges of the PBG. The propagation length plays a major
role in determining the probing efficiency. In this way,
a complete control over RW is acquired which helps to
analyze the properties of analyte and surface interactions
in the vicinity of the sensing medium. The proposed struc-
ture is 10−3 orders of magnitude sensitive to the change in
dt and dc values.
Acknowledgments The author Mahendra Kumar would like to thank
Dr. Vivek Singh, Prof. Abhay Kumar Singh, and Prof. RDS Yadava for
giving time to valuable discussion.
Authors’ Contributions Mahendra Kumar did the calculations and
numerical simulations and coding. Surendra Prasad conceived the idea
and provided technical guidance wherever needed in doing calculations
and helped in the interpretation of the obtained results.
Compliance with ethical standards
Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of
interest.
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