Revolutionizing dual-parameter optical sensing with silver-enhanced 1D photonic crystals and Tamm states
摘要
Conventional optical Tamm state (OTS)-based sensors are generally limited by low sensitivity, reduced absorption efficiency, or the capacity to detect only a single parameter, hence limiting their multifunctional sensing capabilities. This study proposes a silver-enhanced one-dimensional photonic crystal (1D-PC) structure that supports multi-frequency OTS resonances for simultaneous refractive index (RI) and incident angle sensing on a single platform. The optical properties are investigated using the transfer matrix method under Bragg scattering conditions. The formation of a silver interface layer improves electromagnetic field confinement at the metal–photonic crystal interface, allowing near-perfect absorption above 0.97 at three separate absorption peaks (APs). The APs demonstrate adjustable red and blue shifts through variations in defect layer thickness and incidence angle, while the inter-peak spacing may be adjusted by modifying the number of phase layers. The RI sensor functions within the range of 1.5–2.2, exhibiting a sensitivity of 36.92 THz/RIU and an average figure of merit (FOM) of 108.62, exceeding earlier OTS-based sensors. It achieves a sensitivity of 0.556 THz/degree for angle sensing within a detection range of 30–70°, exceeding previous dual-parameter structures. The results show an enhanced dual-parameter sensing platform defined by increased absorption efficiency and higher performance metrics, suited to advanced optical measurement applications.