journal article·2025-10-01Open access

High-sensitivity terahertz metasurface sensor for refractive index and methane detection with advanced material integration

Jacob Wekalao, Hussein A. Elsayed, Haifa A. Alqhtani, May Bin-Jumah, Mostafa R. Abukhadra, Ahmed Mehaney, Amuthakkannan Rajakannu, Stefano Bellucci

AIP Advances· Volume 15· Issue 10

Abstract

In the present study, we have considered a highly sensitive terahertz metasurface-based sensor for detecting minute changes in refractive index, in addition to the changes in methane concentrations as well. By using COMSOL Multiphysics and the Finite Element Method, we have investigated the numerical findings. Meanwhile, the sensor achieves sensitivities of 600 GHz/RIU for general gases and 294 GHz/RIU for methane at the optimum values of some different parameters, including graphene’s chemical potential and the angle of incidence. In addition, the numerical findings demonstrate the emergence of multiple absorption bands with transmission minima between 75.687% and 79.657% and frequency shifts that correlate linearly with refractive index changes (R2 = 92.63% for various gases; R2 = 99.848% for methane). In addition, machine learning optimization using the Extra-Trees Regressor enhances predictive performance, achieving R2 values between 90% and 95%. This work offers a CMOS-compatible, high-sensitivity platform for advanced environmental monitoring and safety applications.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Terahertz technology and applications · Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications · Plasmonic and Surface Plasmon Research

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Optics and Optical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China 1 , 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei 230026,

Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Ha’il 2 , P.O. Box 2440 Ha’il,

3 Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia

4 Geosciences Department, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University 5 , Al-Jandaweel, Amman 11931,

Photonic and Phononic Crystals Lab, Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University 6 , Beni Suef 62512,

Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, National University of Science and Technology 7 , Sultanate of Oman,

INFN-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati 8 , Via E. Fermi 54, 00044 Frascati,

Funding

Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

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