A consideration of optical noise figures of adsorption-based nanophotonic sensors

Abstract

We consider some intrinsic noise mechanisms appearing in nanophotonic sensors based on plasmonic structures and surface plasmon-polaritons. We analyze the photonic Johnson-Nyquist fluctuations and the adsorption and desorption (AD) of analyte molecules at the sensing interface, as reflected through the refractive index and electromagnetic field changes. In some situations AD noise is especially large and may significantly influence the performance of nanoplasmonic sensors.