Multi‐Segmented Terahertz Metamaterial‐Based Sensor for Biomolecule Detection

ABSTRACT

This paper presents an ultrathin, narrow‐band metamaterial (MTM)‐based refractive index (RI) sensor in the terahertz (THz) domain for precise detection of several biomedical samples. The full‐wave electromagnetic simulation software, CST, is used to simulate and investigate the proposed design. The proposed design integrates Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) between the multi‐segmented gold resonator structure and the ground plane of gold. The simulation findings reveal a single narrow resonance peak with absorptivity of 99.96% at a resonance frequency of 7.346 THz with an analyte layer of RI 1.33 as a basis. By varying the RI of the ambient environment from 1.35 to 1.40, high RI sensitivity of 2000 GHz/RIU, with a high‐quality factor (Q‐ factor) and detection limit (DL) of 349.81 and 0.0067 RIU, respectively, are achieved. It also displays a notable linear response ( R ² = 0.981). The proposed sensor exhibits a high‐ Q‐factor of 317.65, 318.04 and 332.91 with outstanding sensitivity of 1714.3, 1500, and 1454.5 GHz/RIU, while detecting cancer cells, tuberculosis (TB) bacteria and dengue virus, respectively. These aspects of ultrathin geometry, narrow‐band near‐unity absorption and sustained excellent sensitivity reflect the innovative nature and practicality of the proposed work.