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New Trends and Progress in Plasmonic Sensors and Sensing Technology
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New Trends and Progress in Plasmonic Sensors and Sensing Technology

A Special Issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220) belonging to the section "Optical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 26453

Editor

Dr. Muhammad Ali Butt

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: integrated photonics; plasmonics; fiber-optic sensors; metasurfaces; wearable sensors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plasmonic sensors are at the forefront of sensing technology, with recent advancements bringing new levels of sensitivity, selectivity, and multifunctionality to their various applications. Emerging trends are highlighting innovative nanostructured materials, such as novel plasmonic nanomaterials and hybrid nanostructures, which have the potential to transform these sensors’ detection capabilities in chemical, biological, and environmental sensing. These developments, alongside the integration of plasmonic systems with photonic, electronic, and digital technologies, enable highly precise, real-time monitoring in diverse sectors, including in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and security. Notably, the integration of AI and machine learning into plasmonic sensors is amplifying their potential, allowing for enhanced data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive capabilities that are reshaping sensor accuracy and speed. This Special Issue invites authors to submit original research articles that explore these innovations or review papers that provide comprehensive overviews of the latest advances and trends in plasmonic sensing. We welcome submissions that offer fresh perspectives on new sensing applications and novel material approaches or interdisciplinary insights that will help define the next generation of plasmonic sensor technologies.

Dr. Muhammad Ali Butt
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • surface plasmon polariton
  • surface plasmon resonance
  • plasmonics
  • sensors
  • plasmonic nanoparticles
  • metal–insulator–metal waveguide
  • machine learning
  • artificial intelligence

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 2324 KB  
Article
Polarization-Independent Metasurface Color Filter with Side-Peak Suppression in Metallic Nanohole Array
by Hui-Jin Yun and Seung-Yeol Lee
Sensors 2026, 26(8), 2339; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26082339 - 10 Apr 2026
Viewed by 832
Abstract
Recent advances in metasurface-based research have enabled significant reductions in the size and weight of optical devices. By employing metallic nanostructures with subwavelength dimensions, color filtering can be achieved through phenomena such as extraordinary optical transmission (EOT), which allows specific bands of visible [...] Read more.
Recent advances in metasurface-based research have enabled significant reductions in the size and weight of optical devices. By employing metallic nanostructures with subwavelength dimensions, color filtering can be achieved through phenomena such as extraordinary optical transmission (EOT), which allows specific bands of visible light to pass through. However, conventional EOT-based color filters often suffer from strong side peaks outside the desired transmission band, degrading color purity and hindering accurate color reproduction. In this study, we propose an ultrathin, polarization-independent color filter based on a nanohole array that utilizes the EOT effect while effectively suppressing unwanted side peaks. To achieve this, we introduce a modified design in which additional metallic triangular edges are placed around a hole in a conventional hole array. This configuration suppresses higher-order diffraction modes and enables selective transmission at RGB wavelengths, thereby improving spectral selectivity and overall color performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends and Progress in Plasmonic Sensors and Sensing Technology)
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Review

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31 pages, 2684 KB  
Review
Strategies for Multiplexing Plasmonic Biosensing
by Muhammad Umair Khan and Jaroslav Katrlík
Sensors 2026, 26(15), 4964; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26154964 - 5 Aug 2026
Viewed by 378
Abstract
Plasmonic biosensing technologies have emerged as powerful analytical tools for sensitive and label-free characterisation of biomolecular interactions and complex samples. The increasing demand for comprehensive molecular profiling has accelerated the development of multiplexing strategies that enable simultaneous analysis of multiple analytes and molecular [...] Read more.
Plasmonic biosensing technologies have emerged as powerful analytical tools for sensitive and label-free characterisation of biomolecular interactions and complex samples. The increasing demand for comprehensive molecular profiling has accelerated the development of multiplexing strategies that enable simultaneous analysis of multiple analytes and molecular interactions. This Feature Paper examines multiplexing through the complementary spatial, spectral, and temporal dimensions of multiplexing, together with their hybrid combinations and associated analytical trade-offs. Compared with other optical biosensing approaches, including interferometric, photonic, and fluorescence-based sensing platforms, plasmonic biosensors remain attractive owing to their combination of label-free detection, real-time interaction monitoring, sensitive interfacial analysis, and compatibility with multiplexed assay formats. This Feature Paper critically discusses current multiplexing strategies, focusing primarily on surface plasmon resonance (SPR), imaging SPR (SPRi), localised SPR (LSPR), surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and related nanoplasmonic biosensing approaches, together with recent advances in surface biofunctionalisation, antifouling interfaces, and molecular recognition strategies. Representative applications in biomedical diagnostics and non-clinical settings are highlighted, with examples such as liquid biopsy, glycoprofiling, extracellular vesicle profiling, and food and environmental analysis, alongside key challenges in reproducibility, standardisation, data interpretation, and clinical translation. In addition, selected non-plasmonic optical biosensing technologies are briefly discussed to position plasmonic biosensing within the broader landscape of multiplexed optical biosensing. This Feature Paper argues that the future of multiplexed plasmonic biosensing will depend less on further improvements in sensor performance than on robust, standardised analytical systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends and Progress in Plasmonic Sensors and Sensing Technology)
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69 pages, 22088 KB  
Review
Gold- or Silver-Nanoparticle SERS Platforms for Plasma-Based Diagnostics and AI-Driven Analysis
by Gideon L. Elizur, Alexandre Canhoto, Gabriela Soares, Lucio Studer Ferreira, Eulália Pereira and Ricardo Franco
Sensors 2026, 26(13), 4131; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26134131 - 30 Jun 2026
Viewed by 726
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a highly promising analytical technique for disease diagnostics due to its exceptional sensitivity, molecular specificity, and ability to detect a broad range of biomarkers in complex biological matrices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of gold- [...] Read more.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a highly promising analytical technique for disease diagnostics due to its exceptional sensitivity, molecular specificity, and ability to detect a broad range of biomarkers in complex biological matrices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of gold- and silver-nanoparticle-based SERS platforms for plasma disease diagnostics, covering advances in plasmonic nanostructures, biological sample analysis, biomarker detection, and AI-driven spectral data processing. Particular emphasis is placed on the application of SERS to clinically relevant biofluids, especially plasma, where the technique has demonstrated considerable potential for detecting diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, and neurological conditions. The review also critically examines the major challenges currently limiting the clinical translation of SERS technologies. These include variability associated with substrate fabrication, matrix-induced signal fluctuations, limited interlaboratory reproducibility, and the lack of standardized protocols for spectral preprocessing and data analysis. Strategies proposed to address these issues are discussed, including comprehensive post-synthesis substrate characterization, optimization of biological sample preparation, advanced spectral preprocessing workflows, and the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to improve diagnostic robustness and reproducibility. Collectively, the advances summarized in this review indicate that SERS-based diagnostic technologies are rapidly progressing beyond proof-of-concept studies toward clinically applicable systems. Continued interdisciplinary collaboration and standardization efforts will be essential to bridge the remaining gap between experimental SERS methodologies and routine clinical implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends and Progress in Plasmonic Sensors and Sensing Technology)
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36 pages, 9322 KB  
Review
Trends and Advances in Wearable Plasmonic Sensors Utilizing Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS): A Comprehensive Review
by Svetlana N. Khonina and Nikolay L. Kazanskiy
Sensors 2025, 25(5), 1367; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25051367 - 23 Feb 2025
Cited by 45 | Viewed by 9430
Abstract
Wearable sensors have appeared as a promising solution for real-time, non-invasive monitoring in diverse fields, including healthcare, environmental sensing, and wearable electronics. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based sensors leverage the unique properties of SERS, such as plasmonic signal enhancement, high molecular specificity, and the [...] Read more.
Wearable sensors have appeared as a promising solution for real-time, non-invasive monitoring in diverse fields, including healthcare, environmental sensing, and wearable electronics. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based sensors leverage the unique properties of SERS, such as plasmonic signal enhancement, high molecular specificity, and the potential for single-molecule detection, to detect and identify a wide range of analytes with ultra-high sensitivity and molecular selectivity. However, it is important to note that wearable sensors utilize various sensing mechanisms, and not all rely on SERS technology, as their design depends on the specific application. This comprehensive review highlights the recent trends and advancements in wearable plasmonic sensing technologies, focusing on their design, fabrication, and integration into practical wearable devices. Key innovations in material selection, such as the use of nanomaterials and flexible substrates, have significantly enhanced sensor performance and wearability. Moreover, we discuss challenges such as miniaturization, power consumption, and long-term stability, along with potential solutions to address these issues. Finally, the outlook for wearable plasmonic sensing technologies is presented, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary research to drive the next generation of smart wearables capable of real-time health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and beyond. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends and Progress in Plasmonic Sensors and Sensing Technology)
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44 pages, 9682 KB  
Review
Mid-Infrared Photonic Sensors: Exploring Fundamentals, Advanced Materials, and Cutting-Edge Applications
by Muhammad A. Butt, Marcin Juchniewicz, Mateusz Słowikowski, Łukasz Kozłowski and Ryszard Piramidowicz
Sensors 2025, 25(4), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25041102 - 12 Feb 2025
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 13882
Abstract
Mid-infrared (MIR) photonic sensors are revolutionizing optical sensing by enabling precise chemical and biological detection through the interrogation of molecules’ unique vibrational modes. This review explores the core principles of MIR photonics, emphasizing the light–matter interactions within the 2–20 µm wavelength range. Additionally, [...] Read more.
Mid-infrared (MIR) photonic sensors are revolutionizing optical sensing by enabling precise chemical and biological detection through the interrogation of molecules’ unique vibrational modes. This review explores the core principles of MIR photonics, emphasizing the light–matter interactions within the 2–20 µm wavelength range. Additionally, it examines innovative sensor architectures, such as integrated photonic platforms and optical fibers, that enhance sensitivity, specificity, and device miniaturization. The discussion extends to groundbreaking applications in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, industrial processes, and security, highlighting the transformative impact of these technologies. This comprehensive overview aims to illuminate the current state-of-the-art while inspiring future developments in MIR photonic sensing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends and Progress in Plasmonic Sensors and Sensing Technology)
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