Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
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Item Present status and prospects of MXene research(Springer, 2025-08) Arora, PankajThe MXene family has turned the tables in the materials field since its first reported work in 2011. This is primarily because of the unique underlying physical and chemical properties of these 2D nanomaterial. High metallic conductivity and greater robustness provided by MXene sheets have already given them a leading edge over transition metal dichalcogenides and graphite. The MXene family has now entered into a vast platform of sensor applications, wherein they are acting as a quintessential element. Incorporating MXene flakes above the metal substrates provides stronger corrosion protection, a large surface area, and increased hydrophilicity. Due to its stability in aqueous solutions, it is an active co-catalyst that captures the photo-generated charges utilized for sustainable hydrogen production. The most commonly used MXene, i.e., Ti3C2Tx, is reported to exhibit intense plasmonic behavior in the near to mid-infrared region. Strongly tunable optical properties of Ti3C2Tx, Nb2C, and Ta2C have also emerged as promising SERS substrates. The excellent mechanical strength and flexibility exhibited by crumpled MXene hybrid nano-coatings strive to act as electrodes, which were acquired for designing bendable high-performance supercapacitors. MXene films provide non-toxicity and hydrophilicity towards miniscule organisms, making them biologically compatible. By tailoring the properties using different MXene geometrical configurations (films, nanostructures, or 3D network layered structure), a plethora of applications in different domains are coming up. These applications also depend on the type of terminated groups utilized; for example, the –OH terminated groups have the strongest binding energy strength compared to their counterparts. So far, with over 30 MXene stoichiometric varieties reported, the future holds promising prospects of incorporating the MXene family into myriad real-world applications. The challenge lies in the experimental validation/realization of more and more MXene composites and the possibility of tweaking their intrinsic properties for large-scale commercial production. Therefore, the chapter attempts to gather the current state-of-the-art research carried out over the past few years to unravel the exquisite features of the MXene family and its composites. Consequently, the chapter will attempt to thoroughly analyze the present situation and future opportunities facing the MXene family in creating effective and long-lasting composites.Item Numerical study of a high-performance SPR sensor using ZNS and fluorinated graphene with consideration of experimental parameters(Springer, 2025-08) Arora, PankajA surface plasmon resonance (SPR)–based sensor, which consists of aluminum (Al) as a plasmonic metal and zinc sulfide (ZnS) as the dielectric layer, has been proposed in a modified Kretschmann configuration. An engineered layer of fluorinated graphene (FG) as a 2D nanomaterial has been included in the proposed configuration for better interaction with the bio-analyte. The proposed sensing device is designed using the transfer matrix and finite element methods for angle interrogation at a wavelength of 1550 nm, considering performance parameters like sensitivity, SPR linewidth, detection accuracy, and figure of merit (FOM). The multilayered engineered plasmonic sensor is found to have a maximum value of sensitivity (242.85°/RIU) and enhanced FOM (451.68 RIU−1). The effect of different glass substrates, plasmonic metals, dielectric materials, and 2D nanomaterials on the performance parameters has been studied. Finally, the engineered plasmonic biosensor {CaF2-Al (30 nm)-ZnS (2 nm)-FG} is used to detect different malaria stages by distinguishing healthy and malaria-infected red blood cells, showing its potential by significant improvement in sensitivity and FOM compared to many of the existing simulation-based SPR designs, indicating a strong potential for high-performance biosensing applications.Item Investigation of 2D nanomaterials on MXene (Ti3C2Tx)-based aluminum plasmonic devices for biosensing in the near-infrared region(Springer, 2022-08) Arora, PankajIn this work, we have engineered Aluminum (Al)-based plasmonic devices with MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheet to achieve both high sensitivities as well Figure of Merit (FOM) simultaneously for the wavelength of 1550 nm in the optical communication band. Since, studying 2D nanomaterials can provide quality collaboration for Ti3C2Tx, from their functionalization to application; Black Phosphorus, Graphene, fluorinated Graphene, and MoS2 are undertaken for this purpose. The effect of such 2D nanomaterials has been studied on both sensitivity and FOM for Ti3C2Tx-based engineered Al-plasmonic devices and a decent value of both sensitivity (119°/RIU) and FOM (340RIU−1) is achieved in the Kretschmann’s configuration. To demonstrate the bio-sensing application with the proposed plasmonic devices, the detection of protein solution concentration, based on the change in their refractive indices, is carried out. The proposed Ti3C2Tx-based Al-plasmonic devices show promising applications in the optical communication band, employing fluorinated graphene and MoS2 in the near-infrared region.Item Investigation of a highly-sensitive aluminum-based plasmonic device using antimonene for sensing applications(IOP, 2024-01) Arora, PankajAluminum (Al) has gained popularity for surface plasmon resonance-based applications due to its affordability and compatibility with CMOS technology at the nanoscale. Over angle-interrogation mode, plasmonic interactions occurring at the metal-dielectric junction, are the outcomes of the attenuated total internal reflection phenomenon. Modified Al-based Kretschmann configuration results in phase-matching conditions that are seen as resonant points in the reflection characteristics. In our work, we have engineered an Al-based plasmonic device utilizing Antimonene as a 2D nanomaterial for bio-sensing purposes in the Near-Infrared (NIR) spectral domain. The study investigates the performance of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) based refractive index sensor using different 2D nanomaterials with an optimized Al thickness of 30 nm. A comparative analysis of Al-based Kretschmann configurations in the presence of Graphene, Black Phosphorus, MXene, and Antimonene is presented using engineered intermediate layers. It is observed that the Al-antimonene-based plasmonic device exhibits improved sensing parameters in the NIR optical window.Item Design and comparative analysis of aluminum-BiFeO3-based plasmonic device in the near-infrared region(Springer, 2024-05) Arora, PankajIn this work, a nano-plasmonic device based on Aluminum with BiFeO3 (BFO), as a multiferroic oxide with remarkable dielectric properties, is engineered using the transfer matrix method for implementation in an optical communication band for sensing applications. A comparative study is performed between different dielectric materials (e.g., BFO, Silicon, and Indium Phosphide), and the highest Figure of Merit (FOM) is achieved for the surface plasmon resonance sensor with BFO as the intermediate layer. To further increase the binding efficiency of the biomolecules with the sensing surface, a monolayer of 2D nanomaterial, namely Molybdenum disulfide, Graphene, MXene, and Fluorinated Graphene (FG), is added to the surface of the plasmonic device. After a rigorous analysis, FG is found to have the highest FOM of 334°/RIU and sensitivity of 125°/RIU. In summary, our work reveals potential applications for the proposed nano-plasmonic device based on Al-BFO configuration as a new type of supporting material with a monolayer of FG for enhancing biosensing activity.Item Studying the Effect of 2D Nanomaterials on Aluminum-Based Plasmonic Devices with TiO2-SiO2 Composite Layers for Biosensing Applications(Springer, 2024-10) Arora, Pankaj; Grover, NitikaTo achieve nano-scale efficient and label-free detection analysis, real-time sensing techniques have significantly prompted the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon to take center stage. Among plasmonic metals, aluminum (Al) stands out for its ability to deliver high detection accuracy across the entire electromagnetic wave spectrum. This study leverages the narrow linewidth of Al in the near-infrared region to enhance optical detection capabilities. By combining Al with a TiO2-SiO2 nanocomposite that enhances sensitivity furthermore, various 2D nanomaterials (graphene, molybdenum disulfide, MXene, and fluorinated graphene (FG)) are investigated using the transfer matrix method. Consequently, the resulting surface plasmon-based reflection curves are analyzed for key performance metrics, i.e., figure of merit (FOM) and sensitivity. The proposed configuration, consisting of TiO2-SiO2-Al-FG, is the optimal design demonstrated for biosensing applications as a proof of concept. All angle-based interrogations are performed within the optical communication window (1550 nm), ensuring a non-destructive approach for photo-sample analysis. With a sensitivity of 121°/RIU and an FOM of 490.57 RIU−1, our proposed configuration offers enhanced sensing capabilities and robustness, paving the way for real-world sensing applications.Item Aluminum as a competitive plasmonic material for the entire electromagnetic spectrum: A review(Elsevier, 2024-11) Arora, PankajWith plasmonics taking the lead in most sensing applications, research has geared towards alternative, cost-effective materials that can strive for large-scale production along with CMOS compatibility. Aluminum (Al) is among those competitive plasmonic metal films that have seen unprecedented research in recent years. The ability to exhibit appreciable plasmonic response in the entire electromagnetic spectrum has been reported along with improved performance sensing parameters. This review article covers different aspects of Al-based nanostructures, nano-films, and nano-particles in different wavelength regimes, displaying efficient plasmonic sensing for myriad purposes. A comprehensive review is conducted to explore the diverse and exciting possibilities emerging from Al-based tunable plasmons at the metal-dielectric interface. Al has already entered many applications, from on-chip plasmonic integration to point-of-care diagnosis. Thus, the application of Al in wide applications (heath, fluorescence, image-filtering techniques, and many more) is discussed here, along with the corresponding limitations and future scope associated with them.Item Imaging of polarization rotation in transmission resonances of periodic plasmonic structures(SPIE, 2014) Arora, PankajWe imaged polarization rotation of transmitted light in 1D Periodic Plasmonic Structures (PPS) fabricated on thin metal coated dielectric substrate. Several PPS of 50% duty cycle and extremely low aspect ratio (height to width ratio) of 0.1 were designed using rigorous coupled wave analysis to exhibit transmission plasmonic resonances at optical wavelengths (400 nm to 700 nm). PPS were fabricated using electron beam lithography, evaporation and lift-off process on glass substrates coated with thin metal. The PPS were characterized using normally incident broadband visible light and crossaxis Polarizer Analyzer setup, with the transmitted light imaged in direct and momentum space using a camera. When the cross axis Polarizer Analyzer were positioned at +45° & -45° respectively w.r.t. plane of incidence, bright emissions of Green, Yellow or Red colors corresponding to transmission plasmonic resonances of the PPS with different periods, were observed in both direct and Fourier planes, instead of completely dark images. From the measured emission momentum in Fourier plane images and spectra of collected light, the emissions were attributed to the excitations of surface plasmons and the reason for surface plasmon excitation in this arrangement is strong coupling of hybrid modes with each other caused by the anisotropy introduced by grating which strongly enhances the efficiency of Polarization rotation. The presented structures behave as frequency selective half wave plates in transmission configuration and could also be used to eliminate the effect of direct beam while imaging the coupling to surface plasmons in periodic structures.Item Dark field imaging in a bright field microscope using tailored polarization of Spoof Surface Plasmons(OSA Open Access, 2014) Arora, PankajWe experimentally image the hybrid mode Spoof Surface Plasmons in real and Fourier plane and utilize the differential phase retardation to convert a bright field microscope to dark field transmission plasmonic polarization microscope in visible wavelengths at normal incidence using 2D periodic metal pillars.Item Colorimetric sensing using Fourier plane imaging of surface plasmons(OSA Open Access, 2015-06) Arora, PankajSurface Plasmons (SPs) propagating at a metal-dielectric interface are highly sensitive to minute changes in the near-field refractive index and thickness of surrounding medium. Moreover, coupling of incident light to the SPs at normal incidences and inherent filtering nature of plasmonic nanostructures resulting in color selective reflection and transmission can be used for applications in SP imaging sensing [1]. Recently, fluorescence coupled leakage radiation microscopy has gained importance wherein, the information pertaining to SPs is radiated out through the substrate and imaged [2]. However, this approach requires fluorescent tagging of analytes to be used in a sensing experiment, that may not be desirable in certain cases. A different approach to image sub-wavelength thick analytes without fluorescent tagging is by using colorimetry, wherein different refractive index films/regions appear as distinctly different colors in an ordinary microscope. In this work, we demonstrated a dark field SP imaging technique by fabrication of engineered 1D and 2D plasmonic substrates and microscopy configuration for real and Fourier plane (FP) imaging to capture surface changes at sub-wavelength thickness. The substrates were designed by sandwiching a thin layer of homogeneous metal between the patterned metal and glass substrate to convert the signature of SPs from transmission dips to transmission peaks [3]. The engineered fabricated substrates were placed in between two crossed polarizers (θP = 45° and θA = 135°) to diminish direct 0th order transmission and capture bright SPs emission against a dark background in real and FP images using a bright field optical microscope. In this specific configuration (θP = 45° and θA = 135°) of cross axis polarizer-analyzer, when the polarizer was at 45° with respect to grating vector, both Transverse Electric (TE) and Transverse Magnetic (TM) could excite SPs equally. The strong coupling between these modes induced a relative phase shift between TE and TM components which led to a polarization rotation of transmitted light by 90° [3].