Optical interferometric sensor based on thin layers of nanoporous anodized aluminum containing nanoparticles of noble metals

Abstract

The influence of chemical deposition of gold and silver on the sensory sensitivity of the films of nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide is studied. It is found that thin (~1 μm) porous oxide films containing nanoparticles of noble metals are highly sensitive to organic compounds in contrast to the blank porous films. It is established that the films possess selectivity of the spectral shift in the interference modulated spectrum of the reflected light to designated substances and exhibit large values of the spectral shifts in the coating solutions of glucose and ethanol. In detail, the effect of the formation of a Fabry-Perot nanointerferometer in oxide films with nanoparticles of gold or silver is reviewed, resulting in an enhanced interference pattern and, accordingly, increased sensory sensitivity.