Approach to visualization of and optical sensing by Bloch surface waves in noble or base metal-based plasmonic photonic crystal slabs.

The Bloch surface wave resonance (SWR) was visualized with the aid of plasmon absorption in a dielectric/metal/dielectric sandwich terminating a one-dimensional photonic crystal (PhC). An SWR peak in calculated spectra of such a plasmonic photonic crystal (PPhC) slab comprising a noble or base metal layer was demonstrated to be sensitive to a negligible variation of refractive index of a medium adjoining to the slab. The considered structure of PPhC slabs can be of practical importance because the metal layer is protected by a capping dielectric layer from contact with analytes and, consequently, from deterioration. We found that, in case of PPhC slabs, gold (the key element of the surface plasmon resonance-based biosensors) can be replaced by other metals. The PPhC-based sensors can be low-cost, reusable, and robust sensors having a sensitivity surpassing that of the known optical sensors.