Label-free, Coupler-free Stereo Imaging via Multimode Metamaterials

Shyam Narayan Singh Yadav^1*, Tsung-Yu Huang², Ta -Jen Yen¹

¹Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
²Department of Materials Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan

* Presenter:Shyam Narayan Singh Yadav, email:s105031893@m105.nthu.edu.tw

To achieve a three-dimensional, label-free, and coupler-free imaging technique, herein we propose an imaging technique of metamaterial perfect absorber by using a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) nanostructure. For such a metamaterial absorber, firstly, we have identified different resonant modes with various sensitivities and detection lengths. Secondly, by differentiating frequency shifts among many different modes, we can post-process the signal and obtain the distribution of corresponding refractive indices along the z-axis, thus achieving stereo imaging. To validate this concept, a finite element method based commercially available software, COMSOL multiphysics solver in RF module was used to optimize the dimension of a metamaterial absorber with multiple resonance modes for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic waves, respectively. Thirdly, the designed metamaterial absorber was fabricated by standard e-beam lithography and lift-off processes. Finally, the measured reflectance spectra of the MIM structures show an excellent agreement with the simulated results. In the end, this MIM based perfect absorber is used as a platform for a label-free, coupler-free, and three-dimensional imaging technique for an ant’s leg as a target sample to demonstrate 3D imaging. This technique could provide a potential platform for label-free bioimaging for live cells.

Keywords: Multimode Metamaterials, Metal-Insulator-Metal Absorber, Label-Free Bio-Imaging, Stereo Imaging, 3D Imaging