Inductive-Capacitive Resonance Shifting of Split-Ring Resonators for Biosensing Applications

William Peria and Ryan Terpening

University of Minnesota

Methods of Experimental Physics Spring 2013

Abstract

For this research project, we measure the shift in the fundamental resonance frequency for a Split-Ring Resonator SRR experiencing a change in its environment. When terahertz THz radiation is incident normal to the plane of the SRR, it is observed to resonate due to its fundamental inductive-capacitance LC frequency. The LC frequency was measured to be around 0.4THz, both experimentally and with commercially available software. This effect is induced by the alternating electric field that is part of the electromagnetic radiation. We measure the shift in the LC resonant frequency by placing materials with different permittivity within the gap of the SRR. The results of our expertiment reveal the high sensitivity of split-ring resonators to subtle changes in their environment, necessary in biosensing applications.