In this paper, gold asymmetric-split ring resonators (A-SRRs) are used for proteins sensing in the mid-infrared (IR) spectral region. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of octadecanethiol (ODT) in ethanolic solution were deposited on the resonator surfaces to immobilise protein molecules for their detection. Different diameters ASRRs were fabricated on zinc selenide (ZnSe) substrates using electron-beam lithography technique. Their plasmonic responses appear in the mid-IR spectral region and match with the vibrational responses of many organic molecules. After the formation of SAMs layer, one sample was immersed in bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution for proteins adsorption while other sample was immersed in hydroxyl terminated hexa-ethylene glycol (EG6-OH) solution to modify SAMs surfaces to resist immobilisation of proteins. The vibrational responses of these organic molecules, all samples were excited using an incident broadband mid-IR light source and their reflectance spectra were measured at normal incidence using a microscope coupled Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. This study highlights the capability of plasmonic structures (A-SRRs) fabricated on transparent and high refractive index ZnSe substrates allows the detection of BSA proteins with enhanced detection in the mid-IR spectral range, demonstrating their potential for a wide range of sensing applications, e.g. in biomedical engineering and food industries.

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Jharna Paul, Richard M. De La Rue, and Nigel P. Johnson, "Gold asymmetric-split ring resonators (A-SRRs) for proteins sensing," Proc. SPIE 9883, Metamaterials X, 98831C (Presented at SPIE Photonics Europe: April 07, 2016; Published: 18 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230310.