Plasmonic biosensor enabled by resonant quantum tunnelling

Metasurfaces provide an ideal platform for optical sensing because they produce strong light-field confinement and enhancement over extended regions that allow us to identify deep-subwavelength layers of organic and inorganic molecules. However, the requirement of using external light sources involves bulky equipment that hinders point-of-care applications. Here we introduce a plasmonic sensor with an embedded source of light provided by quantum tunnel junctions. An optically resonant, doubly periodic nanowire metasurface serves as a top contact for the junction and provides extremely uniform emission over large areas, amplified by plasmonic nanoantenna modes that simultaneously enhance the spectral and refractive index sensitivity. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate spatially resolved refractometric sensing of nanometre-thick polymer and biomolecule coatings. Our results open exciting prospects based on a disruptive platform for integrated electro-optical biosensors.