Adsorption-induced fluctuations and noise in plasmonic metamaterial devices

The investigation represented here is focused on fundamental intrinsic fluctuations caused by the adsorption and desorption (a–d) of surrounding particles on the active surface in plasmonic metamaterial devices. The variance and relative fluctuations in adsorption–desorption dynamics are studied based on two different kinetic models (pseudo-first order kinetics and second order kinetics). The limits of the applicability of the pseudo-first order model are determined, thus ensuring the use of the vast mathematical heritage developed for linear systems in calculation of a–d noise, while at the same time speeding up and simplifying calculations. An approach is proposed to assess adsorption in a metamaterial sensor using an effective parameter dependent on the properties of the metamaterial unit cell.