On the performance of an ENZ-based sensor using transmission line theory and effective medium approach

In this paper we perform an in-depth theoretical studyofa sensing platform based on epsilon-near- zero (ENZ) metamaterials. The structure proposed for sensing is a narrow metallic waveguide channel. An equivalent circuit model is rigorouslydeduced using transmission line theory, considering several...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Pacheco-Peña, Víctor, Beruete Díaz, Miguel, Rodríguez Ulibarri, Pablo, Engheta, Nader
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/32994
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/32994
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Epsilon-near-zero
Metamaterials
Sensing
Metamaterial sensor
Subwavelength sensing
Descripción
Sumario:In this paper we perform an in-depth theoretical studyofa sensing platform based on epsilon-near- zero (ENZ) metamaterials. The structure proposed for sensing is a narrow metallic waveguide channel. An equivalent circuit model is rigorouslydeduced using transmission line theory, considering several configurations for a dielectric body (analyte sample) inserted within the narrow channel, showing good agreement with results obtained from numerical simulations. The transmission line model is able to reproduce even the most peculiar details ofthe sensing platform response. Its performance is then evaluated byvarying systematically the size, position and permittivity ofthe analyte, and height ofthe ENZ channel. It is shown that the sensor is capable ofdetecting changes in the permittivity/ refractive index or position even with deeplysubwavelength analyte sizes (∼0.05λ0), giving a sensitivity up to 0.03m/RIU and a figure ofMerit∼25. The effective medium approach is evaluated by treating the inhomogeneous cross-section ofthe analyte as a transmission line filled with a homogeneous material.