Research Progress on Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) Sensors Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)

Abstract

This study investigates the persistent gap between the high sensitivity of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology and its limited portability and affordability in field applications. It aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of how integrating plastic optical fibers (POFs) with SPR can overcome these constraints and to identify remaining barriers to real-world deployment. A systematic literature review focusing on structural designs (side-polished, double-sided polished, tapered, U-shaped), material systems (gold, silver, graphene oxide, molecularly imprinted polymers), and detection principles (refractive-index, antibody-based, and molecularly imprinted assays). SPR-POF sensors combine label-free, real-time performance with the low cost, flexibility, and disposability of POFs, making them highly attractive for portable and practical sensing platforms. SPR-POF sensors represent a promising platform for point-of-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food-safety assurance. Yet, challenges of long-term stability, reproducibility, and scalable manufacturing must be addressed to enable widespread adoption.