Dielectric nanopatterned surfaces for subwavelength light localization and sensing applications

•Plasmon like field concentration with dielectrics•Optical sensors•Metasurfaces

In this paper we present a theoretical study of dielectric nanostructures capable for localizing light in subwavelength volumes. These are arrays of Si nanoparticles on top of reflecting substrates, which can be properly designed to sustain resonances that confine light outside the particle, near the surface, resulting in increased sensitivity of the resonance wavelength to the refractive index of the surrounding medium. A sensor based on this concept could be advantageous in applications where losses, typical for metallic plasmonic sensors, are unwanted.

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