A glass based slab waveguide, coated with a thin patterned high dielectric overlay, is configured into a refractive index sensor. The asymmetric nature of the waveguide configuration is exploited by keeping the mode in the slab waveguide while enhancing the field level in the overlay-superstrate. The sensor's response is examined using the FDTD simulation technique. A sensitivity of up to one part in 105 in the index of refraction discrimination is determined. The nature of the sensor ensures optical fibre compatibility, requires sub-μL sample volumes and provides a high resolution.
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