Refractive Index Sensitivity Analysis of Ag, Au, and Cu Nanoparticles

The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectrum of noble metal nanoparticles is studied by quasi-static approximation. Taking the sensitivity of LSPR shape to the size and shape of nanoparticle along with surrounding refractive index, parameters like refractive index sensitivity and sensing figure of merit have been determined. In the present analysis from the sensing relevant parameters, it is concluded that Ag represents a better sensing behavior than Au and Cu over the entire visible to infrared regime of EM spectrum.