Complementary infrared metamaterials for volatile organic solutions sensing

Abstract Complementary circle metamaterial (CCM), complementary square metamaterial (CSM), and complementary U-shape metamaterial (CUM) are proposed and demonstrated for volatile organic solutions sensing. They are integrated with microfluidic channels and compared to fill without and with various kinds of chemical solutions. The experiment results indicate the sensitivities of three devices are 274.37 nm/RIU, 684.21 nm/RIU, 727.27 nm/RIU for CCM, CSM, and CUM, respectively. Furthermore, the figure-of-merit of CUM can be enhanced 3.36-fold and 1.28-fold compared to that of CCM and CSM, respectively. Using these devices can successfully recognize inorganic and organic solutions for chemical sensors in mid-IR wavelength range. The complementary IR metamaterial based sensing approach might minimize limitations of time and space in environmental monitoring, food safety and other fields.