Photonics Research, Volume. 10, Issue 1, 126(2022)

Performance improvement approaches for optical fiber SPR sensors and their sensing applications

Jianying Jing1,2,3, Kun Liu1,2,3、*, Junfeng Jiang1,2,3, Tianhua Xu1,2,3, Shuang Wang1,2,3, Jinying Ma1,2,3, Zhao Zhang1,2,3, Wenlin Zhang1,2,3, and Tiegen Liu1,2,3
Author Affiliations
  • 1School of Precision Instruments and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
  • 2Key Laboratory of Opto-Electronics Information Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
  • 3Tianjin Optical Fiber Sensing Engineering Center, Institute of Optical Fiber Sensing, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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    Figures & Tables(18)
    (a) The layer configuration and (b) resonance spectrum of SPR sensor. (c) Field/current distributions of the insulator-metal-insulator model corresponding to SPR sensing structure [31]. Note: I, II, and III are three modes with the lowest loss; red line, black line, and orange arrow represent electric field distribution, magnetic field distribution, and current conduction, respectively.
    (a) Schematic of the sensing structure and (b) concentration response as well as (c) time response spectra for the nicotine detection using the tapered plastic fiber SPR sensor [55]. (d) Schematic of the sensing structure and (e) glucose concentration response as well as (f) temperature response spectra of the SPF-SPR sensor [56]. (g) Schematic of the sensing structure and (h) human IgG concentration response spectra of the U-shaped fiber SPR sensor [57].
    (a) Schematic of the PCF-SPR sensor for the simultaneous measurement of magnetic field, RI, and temperature [61]. (b) Loss spectrum of the PCF-SPR sensor for the measurement of magnetic field [61]. (c) Schematic of the experimental setup for the characterization process of the SPR fiber tip sensor [66]. (d) Transmission spectrum of the SPR fiber tip sensor for the measurement of the liquid level [66]. (e) Schematic of the LRSPR sensor and experimental setup for the simultaneous measurement of RI and temperature [67]. (f) Transmission spectrum of the LRSPR sensor for the measurement of temperature [67].
    (a) Layer configuration of LRSPR sensor. (b) Schematic of the sensing structure and (c) resonance spectrum for the detection of different BSA concentrations in the SPF/MgF2/Ag-based LRSPR sensor [78]. (d) The layer configuration of CPWR sensor. (e) Schematic of the sensing structure and (f) transmission spectrum and the mode field distributions of the optical fiber CPWR sensor [80]. (g) The layer configuration of the WCSPR sensor. (h) Schematic of the sensing structure and (i) resonance spectrum for the RI detection in the optical fiber WCSPR sensor [81].
    (a) Fabrication process in the SPP coupling-based fiber biosensor [75]. (b) Variation of resonance wavelength for human IgG detection [75]. (c) Schematic of the fiber SPR sensor fabricated by PDA accelerated ELP for immunoassay. Inset, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of the Au seeds formed Au layer [92]. (d) Sensitivity fitting curve of the sensor for detecting different concentrations of human IgG [92]. (e) Fabrication process in the HGNPs modified fiber LRSPR biosensor [51]. (f) Resonance spectrum for human IgG detection [51].
    (a) Schematic of the PdNPs embedded/PPy shell coated MWCNT-based fiber SPR probe and the laboratorial setup. Inset, schematic and SEM image of the PdNP embedded/PPy shell coated MWCNTs and SEM image of the fiber probe surface [38]. (b) Resonance spectrum obtained by detecting hydrazine with different concentrations [38]. (c) The fabrication process of the double-layer Au nanorods and GO sensitized PCF-SPR sensor [104]. (d) Resonance spectrum obtained by detecting human IgG with different concentrations [104]. (e) Schematic of the Ta2O5 nanofiber sensitized fiber SPR probe and the laboratorial setup. Inset, SEM image of the synthesized Ta2O5 nanofibers [106]. (f) Variation of resonance wavelength for xanthine detection [106].
    (a) Schematic of the phosphorene-graphene/TMDC heterostructure-based fiber SPR biosensor [127]. (b) Resonance spectrum of the biosensor for DNA hybridization detection [127]. (c) Schematic of the Ti3C2Tx MXene improved fiber RI sensor and SEM image of the cross section of the sensor [128]. (d) Transmittance versus wavelength for the sensor without and with Ti3C2Tx MXene [128]. (e) Three-dimensional model of the PTOF coated with BaTiO3 layer and SEM image of the sensor [129]. (f) Sensitivity and FWHM of the sensor with different thicknesses of BaTiO3 layer [129].
    (a) Preparation procedure of the three-dimensional composite-based fiber LSPR biosensor [150]. (b) Schematic of the three-dimensional composite on the fiber surface, transmission electron microscopy image of Au nanoparticles covered by multilayer graphene, and schematic of the DNA detection process [150]. (c) Real-time wavelength redshift for DNA detection [150]. (d) Schematic of the bioreceptor patterning onto the Au coated fiber surface using DNA nanotechnology: three-dimensional DNA lateral surface (LS) origami, distal ends (DE) origami, and tetrahedron. (Dark green, bioreceptors; dark gray spheres, thiol groups; light green and red, ssDNA [151].) (e) Calibration curves for thrombin bioassay on the fiber SPR biosensing platform [151].
    (a) Transmission-type fiber SPR sensor [152] based on core mismatch I and reflective fiber SPR sensor [14] based on flat tip II, tapered tip III, and angle polished tip IV. (b) Schematic of the sensing structure of the protruding-shaped fiber plasmonic microtip probe and the testbed [153]. (c) SEM image of the microtip probe and schematic of the bio-probe [153]. (d) Langmuir adsorption curve and (e) sensitivity fitting line for human IgG detection with different concentrations [153].
    (a) Optical micrograph of the plasmonic crystal cavity on the SMF end-face [159]. (b) Resonance spectrum of the SPR device for the detection of different solutions [159]. (c) Process in the fabrication of nanotriangular arrays on the reflective fiber SPR sensor end-face based on colloidal lithography technology and the SEM image of the nanotriangular arrays [160]. (d) Sensitivity fitting lines for the RI detection of the Au triangularly patterned and non-patterned sensors [160]. (e) Block diagram of the nanotrimer arrays on the bent fiber end-face and the SEM image of the nanotrimer arrays [161]. Resonance spectra of the (f) SLR-based and (g) LSPR-based sensors [158].
    (a) Near-field optical microscope probe based on the high-efficiency coupling of Ag nanowires and tapered optical fiber (AgNW-OF) [166]. (b) Polarization-resolved k-space imaging of the light emitted from the nanofocused SPP mode at the AgNW-OF probe tip [166]. (c) The four-wave-mixing produced signal increased sharply when the Au nanoparticle-fiber probe approached another Au nanoparticle [167]. (d) The molecular fluorescence changed from enhancement to quenching when the Au nanoparticle-fiber probe approached a single molecule [168].
    • Table 1. Parameter Indices to Evaluate the Performance of SPR Sensors

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      Table 1. Parameter Indices to Evaluate the Performance of SPR Sensors

      IndexEquationParametric MeaningRef.
      SλnSλn=λresnsns and λres represent the change of external average RI and the resonance wavelength shift caused by ns, respectively.[42]
      DADA=1FWHM
      SNRSNR=δλresFWHMδλres represents the resonance wavelength shift caused by the change of external average RI.[44]
      FOMFOM=SλnFWHM[45]
      QFQF=δλresFWHM×Sλn
      LOD=ΔλSλnΔλ represents the wavelength resolution of the spectrometer.[4648]
      LODyLOD=y¯blank+tα,k1σy,y¯blank represents the average signal obtained by repeated measurements of the blank sample. tα,k1 represents the α-quantile of Student’s t-function with k1 degrees of freedom. σ represents the standard deviation.
      xLOD=f1(y¯blank+3σmax)
      LOQLOQ=δλSλnδλ=iσ, i, and σ represent positive integer and the standard deviation in resonance wavelength near blank concentration, respectively.[46]
    • Table 2. Comparison of Different ATR-Based SPR Modes

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      Table 2. Comparison of Different ATR-Based SPR Modes

      ATR-Based SPR ModeLayer ConfigurationPolarization State of Excitation LightAdvantageDisadvantage
      SPRSubstrate/metal layer/analyteTMThe layer configuration is simple, and the sensitivity is high.The FWHM is wide, and the DA is low.
      LRSPRSubstrate/dielectric layer with permittivity is pure real-number and lower than that of substrate/metal layer/analyteTMThe FWHM is narrow, the DA is high, and the sensor is suitable for biomacromolecules detection.The sensitivity depends heavily on symmetric configuration.
      CPWRSubstrate/metal layer/thick waveguide layer with high-complex permittivity/analyteTM or TEThe FWHM is narrow, and the DA is high.The sensitivity is low.
      NGWSPRSubstrate/metal layer/thin waveguide layer/analyteTMThe sensitivity is high, and the resonance dip is deep.The DA is low.
      WCSPRSubstrate/metal layer/waveguide layer/metal layer/analyteTM or TEThe sensitivity is slightly higher, and the sensor possesses self-reference function.The layer configuration is complex.
    • Table 3. Application Examples of Zero-Dimensional Nanomaterials in SPR Sensing

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      Table 3. Application Examples of Zero-Dimensional Nanomaterials in SPR Sensing

      Sensing StructureTarget AnalyteSimulated/Experimental ResultsRef.
      SensitivityLODNotes
      Fiber/Au layer/AuNPs/analyteRI 1.3332–1.37103074.34 nm/RIU[98]
      Fiber/Au seeds formed Au layer/PDA/anti-IgG/IgGRI 1.333–1.359/1.359–1.3862054/3980 nm/RIUThe FOM of the sensor was 19  RIU1.[32]
      Human IgG 2–100 μg/mL0.41 nm/(μg/mL)0.90 μg/mL
      Fiber/PDA/Au seeds formed Au layer/PDA/anti-IgG/IgGRI 1.328–1.3861391–5346 nm/RIU[92]
      Human IgG 0.5–40 μg/mL0.65 nm/(μg/mL)0.22 μg/mL
      Fiber/DML/Au layer/PDA-HGNPs/anti-IgG/IgGHuman IgG 1–40 μg/mL1.84 nm/(μg/mL)0.20 μg/mLDML refers to dielectric matching layer. Combination of LRSPR and electric field coupling effects. The spike-and-recovery for serum samples detection was 107.62%.[51]
      Fiber/Au layer-PMBA/glucose/AuNPs-AET-PMBAGlucose 1043×107  nM80 nMPMBA and AET refer to p-mercaptophenylboronic acid and 2-aminoethanethiol, respectively.[99]
      PCF/Au layer/GO/anti-IgG/AuNPs-IgGRI 1.3323–1.335913,592.36 nm/RIU1.47×106  RIUSynergistic sensitization of zero-dimensional AuNPs and two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO).[75]
      Human IgG 1–35 μg/mL1.36 nm/(μg/mL)0.015 μg/mL
      Fiber core/Au layer/MoSe2 layer/PDA/MoSe2-AuNPs/PDA/IgG/anti-IgGGoat-anti-IgG 5–25 μg/mL7.31×103  nm/(μg/mL)0.054 μg/mLSynergistic sensitization of zero-dimensional AuNPs and two-dimensional MoSe2.[100]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/ERY imprinted nanoparticlesERY 10105  nM0.205 nm/nM1.62 nMERY refers to erythromycin. The spike-and-recovery for real samples detection was 98.2%–102.0%.[101]
      Fiber/Ag core-SiO2 shell-AuNPs/analyteγ-aminobutyric acid 109106  nM2 nm/lg[M]1.65×106  nMThe LOD for serum samples was 1.88×1014  M.[90]
      Fiber/triangular AgNPs/GO/analyteRI 1.3318–1.34951114.80 nm/RIUThe apices generated greater electric field amplification.[102]
      Fiber/Au nanostars arraysSERSThe apices generated greater electric field amplification, and the proposed sensor was demonstrated with 45 times electric field intensity enhancement compared with Au nanorods design.[103]
    • Table 4. Application Examples of One-Dimensional Nanomaterials in SPR Sensing

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      Table 4. Application Examples of One-Dimensional Nanomaterials in SPR Sensing

      Sensing StructureTarget AnalyteSimulated/Experimental ResultsRef.
      SensitivityFOMLODNotes
      Fiber core/ITO/Si/SWCNTs/analyteRI 1.330–1.3359780 nm/RIU9.76  RIU1ITO and SWCNTs refer to indium tin oxide and singlewalled CNTs, respectively.[83]
      Fiber core/Au layer/MWCNTs-PtNPs/analyteRI 1.3385–1.35855923.14 nm/RIU29.32  RIU1Synergistic sensitization of zero-dimensional platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) and one-dimensional MWCNTs.[108]
      Fiber/Au layer/MWCNTs-CuNPs/analyteNitrate 2.5×103106nM3.25 nm/lg[M]Simultaneous measurement of two parameters. Synergistic sensitization of zero-dimensional cuprum nanoparticles (CuNPs) and one-dimensional MWCNTs.[110]
      Temperature2.02  nm/°C
      Fiber core/Ag layer/MWCNTs-CuNPs/analyteNitrate 1035×106  nM0.08062 nm/nM4 nMSynergistic sensitization of zero-dimensional CuNPs and one-dimensional MWCNTs.[107]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/PdNPs-PPy-MWCNTs/analyteHydrazine 01.5×103  nM0.09 nm/nM20 nMSynergistic sensitization of zero-dimensional PdNPs and one-dimensional MWCNTs. The spike-and-recovery rate of real sample detection was 97.5%–102.8%.[38]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/MWCNTs/analyteSulfamethaxazole 02×105  nM0.37×103nm/nM891.80 nM[111]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/PPy-MWCNTs/analyteDopamine 0104  nM68.58 nm/lg[M]0.0189 nM[112]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/graphene-MWCNTs-poly-(methyl methacrylate)/analyteMethane gas 10–100 ppm (parts per million)Synergistic sensitization of one-dimensional MWCNTs and two-dimensional graphene. The maximum shift in the resonance wavelength was 30 nm for methane gas detection.[113]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/Ta2O5 nanofibers/XO enzyme/analyteXanthine 03×103  nM0.0262 nm/nM12.70 nMThe sensor worked well for the detection of xanthine in green tea samples.[106]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/ZnO: graphene nanofibers/analyteNicotine 0104  nM4.50×103nm/nM74 nMThe sensor worked well for the detection of nicotine in cigarette samples.[114]
      PCF/Au layer/Au nanorods/GO/Au nanorods/analyteRI 1.3323–1.336122,248.22 nm/RIU8.99×107  RIUSynergistic sensitization of one-dimensional Au nanorods and two-dimensional GO.[115]
      Human IgG 1–15 μg/mL3.28 nm/(μg/mL)6.10 ng/mL
      PCF/Au layer/double-layer Au nanorods/GO/analyteRI 1.3320–1.336625,642.65 nm/RIU7.80×107  RIUSynergistic sensitization of one-dimensional Au nanorods and two-dimensional GO.[104]
      Human IgG 1–15 μg/mL4.35 nm/(μg/mL)4.60 ng/mL
      U-bent fiber/Au layer/ITO nanorods/graphene/analyteRI 1.3330–1.3634690.70 nm/RIUSynergistic sensitization of one-dimensional ITO nanorods and two-dimensional graphene.[116]
      DNA 0.1–100 nM0.10 nM
      PCF/Ag nanowires/analyteRI 1.33–1.389314.28 nm/RIU1494  RIU11.073×105  RIU[117]
      PCF/Au nanowires/analyteRI 1.32–1.3810,286 nm/RIU146.90  RIU19.72×106  RIU[118]
      Fiber/bimetallic nanowire gratings/analyteRI 1.33–1.49643.75 nm/RIU[105]
    • Table 5. Popular Two-Dimensional Materials for SPR Sensor Performance Improvement

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      Table 5. Popular Two-Dimensional Materials for SPR Sensor Performance Improvement

      CategoryBasic Chemical FormulaEnsample
      Graphene and derivativesGO, reduced GO (rGO)
      PhosphoreneBlack phosphorus (BP), BlueP
      Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs)MX2HfS2, VSe2, MoTe2
      MXeneM2Y, M3Y2, or M4Y3Ti3C2Tx
      PerovskiteZMO3BaTiO3, CaTiO3
      NotesM, X, Y, Z, and Tx represent transition metal element, chalcogen, carbon or nitrogen, alkaline-earth elements, and surface functionalities such as -O, -F, or -OH, respectively [119121].
    • Table 6. Application Examples of Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials in SPR Sensing

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      Table 6. Application Examples of Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials in SPR Sensing

      Sensing StructureTarget AnalyteSimulated/Experimental Results 
      SensitivityFOMLODNotesRef.
      Fiber core/Ag layer/Pt layer/ITO/graphene/analyteRI 1.33–1.364150 nm/RIU70  RIU1[134]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/GO/analyteGlucose adulterant21,140 nm/RIU2.33×105  RIU[135]
      Fructose adulterant18,890 nm/RIU1.53×104  RIU
      Fiber core/Ag layer/Au layer/MoS2/analyteRI 1.3318–1.37013061.84 nm/RIU23.29  RIU1[136]
      Fiber core/Au layer/MoS2/anti-BSA/BSABSA 10–50 μg/mL0.9234 nm/(μg/mL)0.29 μg/mL[137]
      Fiber/MoS2/Au layer/analyteRI 1.3314–1.36236184.40 nm/RIU3.23×106  RIU[125]
      Human IgG 5–70 μg/mL1.014 nm/(μg/mL)1.97×102  μg/mL
      Fiber core/Cr layer/Au layer/MoSe2/analyteRI 1.333–1.3582793.36 nm/RIU37.24  RIU1[138]
      Goat-anti-rabbit IgG 10103  μg/mL0.33 μg/mL
      Fiber core/Al layer/graphene/MoS2/analyteRI 1.330–1.3326200 nm/RIU[139]
      SPF/Cr layer/Au layer/MoS2/graphene/PBA/analyteGlucose 03×103  μg/mL6708.87 nm/RIUPBA refers to pyrene-1-boronic acid.[4]
      Graphene4050 nm/RIU39.70  RIU12-D materials refer to two-dimensional materials. The sensor was also utilized successfully to detect DNA hybridization.[127]
      Fiber core/Au layer/BP/2-D materials/analyteMoS2RI 1.33–1.393950 nm/RIU40.25  RIU1
      MoSe23975 nm/RIU41.40  RIU1
      WS23975 nm/RIU47.89  RIU1
      WSe24000 nm/RIU47.62  RIU1
      Fiber core/NaF layer/Ag layer/BlueP/2-D materials/analyteMoS2D2O/H2O15,650.75  RIU1[140]
      WS212,409.30  RIU1
      Fiber core/Ag layer/SnSe/analyteRI 1.33–1.373475 nm/RIU[141]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/GNP-SnO2/analyteDopamine 0–100 μM10.66 nm/μM0.031 μMGNP refers to graphene nanoplatelet.[142]
      Fiber core/Ag layer/Ta2O5 nanoflakes/analyteAcetylcholine 0–10 μM8.709 nm/μM0.038 μM[143]
      Heterocore fiber/Au layer/Ti3C2Tx MXene/analyteRI 1.3343–1.36582180.20 nm/RIU[128]
      Fiber core/Au layer/Ti3C2 MXene/analyteRI 1.333–1.3353725 nm/RIU48.28  RIU1[144]
      PTOF/Au layer/BaTiO3/analyteRI 1.333–1.3436710 nm/RIU[129]
      SPF/Au layer/BaTiO3/analyteRI 1.3332–1.37102543.33 nm/RIU[145]
      RI 1.3710–1.41406040.42 nm/RIU
    • Table 7. Nomenclature

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      Table 7. Nomenclature

      AbbreviationFull name
      2-DTwo-dimensional
      3-DThree-dimensional
      AET2-aminoethanethiol
      AgNW-OFAg nanowires and tapered optical fiber
      ATRAttenuated total reflection
      AuNPsAu nanoparticles
      BPBlack phosphorus
      BSABovine serum albumin
      CNTsCarbon nanotubes
      CPWRCoupled plasmon waveguide resonance
      Cs/PSSChitosan/polysodium styrene sulfonate
      CuNPsCuprum nanoparticles
      DADetection accuracy
      DEDistal ends
      DMLDielectric matching layer
      ELPElectroless plating
      ERYErythromycin
      EWEvanescent wave
      FOMFigure of merit
      FWHMFull width at half-maximum
      GNPGraphene nanoplatelet
      GOGraphene oxide
      HCFHollow-core fiber
      HGNPsHollow gold nanoparticles
      IgGImmunoglobulin G
      ITOIndium tin oxide
      LODLimit of detection
      LOQLimit of quantification
      LPFGLong period fiber grating
      LRSPPsLong range surface plasmon polaritons
      LRSPRLong range surface plasmon resonance
      LSLateral surface
      LSPRLocalized surface plasmon resonance
      MMFMulti-mode fiber
      MWCNTsMulti-walled carbon nanotubes
      NGWSPRNearly guided wave surface plasmon resonance
      PBAPyrene-1-boronic acid
      PCFPhotonic crystal fiber
      PDAPolydopamine
      PDMSPolydimethylsiloxane
      PdNPsPalladium nanoparticles
      PMBAP-mercaptophenylboronic acid
      PtNPsPlatinum nanoparticles
      PTOFPolymer-tipped optical fiber
      QFQuality factor
      rGOReduced graphene oxide
      RIRefractive index
      SEMScanning electron microscopy
      SERSSurface enhanced Raman scattering
      SLRSurface lattice resonance
      SMFSingle-mode fiber
      SNRSignal to noise ratio
      SPFSide-polished fiber
      SPPsSurface plasmon polaritons
      SPRSurface plasmon resonance
      SWCNTsSingle-walled carbon nanotubes
      TETransverse electric
      TFBGTilted fiber Bragg grating
      TMTransverse magnetic
      TMDCsTransition metal dichalcogenides
      WCSPRWaveguide coupled surface plasmon resonance
      XOXanthine oxidase
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    Jianying Jing, Kun Liu, Junfeng Jiang, Tianhua Xu, Shuang Wang, Jinying Ma, Zhao Zhang, Wenlin Zhang, Tiegen Liu. Performance improvement approaches for optical fiber SPR sensors and their sensing applications[J]. Photonics Research, 2022, 10(1): 126

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    Paper Information

    Category: Surface Optics and Plasmonics

    Received: Sep. 22, 2021

    Accepted: Nov. 1, 2021

    Published Online: Dec. 14, 2021

    The Author Email: Kun Liu (beiyangkl@tju.edu.cn)

    DOI:10.1364/PRJ.439861

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