Refractive index sensing based on large negative Goos-H$\ddot{a}$nchen shifts of wavy dielectric grating

Abstract

Wavy dielectric grating hosts bound states in the continuum (BICs) at nonzero Bloch wave number. For oblique incident optical field with parameters near to the BICs, the reflectance spectrum exhibits ultra-sharp Fano line shape, and the reflected beam has large negative Goos-H$\ddot{a}$nchen shift, due to excitation of the corresponding quasi-BIC with negative group velocity. Under incidence of Gaussian beam with sizable beam width, the excited quasi-BIC could travel a long distance along the direction of the Goos-H$\ddot{a}$nchen shift, designated as $L_{GH}$, before the energy is completely radiated. If the length between the termination of the wavy shape and the focus of the incident Gaussian beam is smaller than $L_{GH}$, sizable energy flux can be coupled into the waveguide mode of the flat dielectric slab that is connected to the wavy dielectric grating. Measurement of the energy flux of the waveguide mode can sense the variation of the refractive index of the background medium. The proposed sensing scheme can be integrated with waveguide in optical circuit.