Abstract: A passive element is provided to facilitate passive detection of analytes, such as analytes, using an electromagnetic probe beam. The probe beam may be provided by a radar and/or lidar system. In one example, a passive element comprises a reference dipole and a detection dipole, the detection dipole having an associated analyte-sensitive element, such as a chemoresistive or bioresistive element. When the analyte-sensitive element is in a modified conducting state due to the presence of an analyte, the detection cross section is modified whereas a reference cross section is substantially unchanged by the presence of the analyte. A passive element may comprise a frequency selective surface, for example including a frequency-selective surface (FSS) embedded in a dielectric layer and using an analyte-sensitive impedance layer to modify the electromagnetic absorption properties, allowing analyte detection.