LOCALISED SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE IN AN OPTICAL FIBER COMPRISING A SURFACE PLASMON SUPPORTING LAYER AND A NANOMATERIAL LAYER

摘要

A localised surface plasmon generator in which nanoscale structures are used at an surface plasmon supporting interface to enhance the sensitivity of the apparatus to certain materials. The surface plasmon generator comprises an optical waveguide (34) having a surface plasmon supporting layer (18) formed on an outer surface thereof. The optical waveguide has refractive index modulations, and the surface plasmon supporting layer includes a layer of nanomaterial (650) at its outermost surface.