Surface plasmon based plasmonic sensors: A review on their past, present and future

Surface plasmon-based plasmonic sensors have witnessed special attention in the research field due to their small size, ease of implementation, and remote sensing application. In terms of sensitivity, tunability, ultra-compactness, and effective light confinement, the plasmonic sensor has outperformed traditional optical sensors. Noble metals like gold, silver, and copper are used to stimulate surface plasmons and provide high sensitivity. The wavelength and angular interrogations are two types of interrogations that are commonly used to measure sensitivity. By combining nanostructured materials such as graphene, black phosphorous (BP), and Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with noble metals, the sensor's sensitivity has been enhanced. These catalytic type sensors can be used to sense the physical, chemical, and biological parameters. This study reviews the progress and developments of plasmonic sensors. Furthermore, the performance and application of various plasmonic approaches are briefly summarized. This review analyzes in detail about different topologies of surface plasmon-based plasmonic sensors, metals and nanomaterials that can be utilized in plasmonic sensors to enhance their sensitivity and the applications, emerging trends, challenges, and future scope of plasmonic sensors.