Liquid Crystal Control of Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Nanorods

Abstract

We analyze a theoretical model of the five layer nanorod-mediated surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor comprising a nematic LC layer. The light propagation through the layered system is studied solving the Fresnel equations under SPR conditions. We calculate the light reflectance angular spectrum and show that control of the orientational state of the LC layer enables us to manipulate position of the reflectance curve minimums, their depth and sensitivity. It allows one to choose an interval of the light incidence angles convenient for work without need in angular tuning of sensor at replacing of the analyte.