Enhanced sensitivity by optimizing metal thicknesses in intensity-interrogation surface plasmon resonance biosensors

Abstract

Intensity interrogation of SPR biosensor owns high sensitivity, and is generally used as SPR microscopy due to the optical intensity variation. Therefore, it is substantial to improve its sensitivity to have a better sensing ability and image quality. In this paper, we discussed numerically and experimentally the influence of sensitivity by metal thickness, and provide a design rule of manifesting optimized thickness to maximize sensitivity in intensity interrogation.