Optical phase-shift detection of surface plasmon resonance.

A heterodyne optical measurement system for studying the phase shift of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is presented. The system utilizes a frequency-stabilized Zeeman laser as a detection light source and is suitable for real-time phase measurement in SPR-sensing applications. The phase shift in an angular dispersion SPR excitation setup was measured ranging from +180 degrees to -120 degrees around the SPR excitation region. The experimental results fit well with the theoretical analysis. Compared with the reflection coefficient variation that is widely investigated in SPR studies, phase shift is estimated to provide a higher sensitivity to sensor systems and more information about the resonance phenomenon.