Surface plasmon resonance sensor based on polarization interferometry and angle modulation

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing technique based on polarization interferometry and angle modulation is presented. Its sensitivity is not a direct function of variation of reflection intensity, nor of phase shift. Rather, it is a function of the complex reflection coefficient. A three times standard deviation detection limit of 5.1 x 10(-7) refractive index units in a 2 Hz bandwidth is obtained with our experimental setup. A theoretical analysis shows that this technique can provide a wide linear measurement range. Moreover, the sensitivity is insensitive to the thickness of gold films over approximately 5 nm. This SPR sensing technique is suitable for physical, chemical, and biological research.