Simulation of the Refractive Index Sensitivity of Coupled Plasmonic Nanostructures

Abstract

The refractive index sensitivity of coupled plasmonic nanostructures - namely spherical gold nanoparticles in various arrangements - were simulated with the MNPBEM Matlab toolbox. The particle diameter, the distance between the particles and the substrate material were the running parameters in four different configurations. The required distances between the particles to achieve coupling effect with an enhanced electric near field and thus higher refractive index sensitivity were obtained for the configurations, along with the enhancement factors.