Photonic crystal nanoslotted parallel quadrabeam integrated cavity for refractive index sensing with high figure of merit

Sensitivities (S) and quality factors (Q) have been trade-offs in optical resonator sensors, and optimal geometry that maximizes both factors is under active development. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate an optical sensor based on photonic crystal (PhC) nanoslotted parallel quadrabeam integrated cavity (NPQIC) with high figure of merit (FOM). Both high sensitivity (S) of 451 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) and Q-factor >7000 in water at telecom wavelength range have been achieved simultaneously, which features a sensor figure of merit (FOM) >2000, an order of magnitude improvement over previous photonic crystal sensors.