volume | PIER Journals

Abstract

In this paper, we propose the design of high sensitivity and selectivity metamaterial-based biosensors operating in the THz regime. The proposed sensors consist of planar array of resonant metallic structures, whose frequency response is modified through the variation of the surrounding dielectric environment. We consider different resonator geometries, such as the squared, circular, asymmetrical, and omega ones, and the analysis of the biosensors is conducted through proper equivalent quasi-static analytical circuit models. The metallic particles are assumed deposited on a glass substrate through proper titanium adhesion layers. Exploiting the proposed analytical model, which is verified through the comparison to full-wave numerical simulations, we study the biosensor resonance frequencies as a function of the geometric parameters of the individual inclusions. Finally, we optimize the structure in order to obtain high sensitivity and selectivity performances. The numerical results show that the proposed structures can be successfully applied as biosensors working in the THz region.

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Dr. Luigi La Spada

Dr. Filiberto Bilotti

Prof. Lucio Vegni