Modelling of surface plasmon resonance waveguide sensor by complex mode expansion and propagation method

Light propagation in a surface plasmon resonance sensor based on a planar glass ion-exchanged waveguide covered with a thin gold layer is modelled using the eigenmode propagation and matching technique. Optical field distribution along the sensor and the dependence of the transmitted power on the refractive index of the sensed medium is calculated. Experimental results obtained with K+↔Na+ ion-exchanged waveguides are also reported.