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Ultracompact biochemical sensor built with two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity
E Chow1, A Grot, L W Mirkarimi
1Agilent Technologies, Inc., 3500 Deer Creek Road, Polo Alto, California 94304, USA. edmond_chow@agilent.com
Optics Letters
|June 9, 2004
Summary
This study demonstrates an ultracompact biochemical sensor using a photonic crystal microcavity. The sensor accurately detects minute changes in refractive index, enabling real-time biochemical analysis.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Biochemical Sensing
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Photonic crystal microcavities offer high sensitivity for sensing applications.
- Miniaturized sensors are crucial for in situ and real-time biochemical analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate an ultracompact biochemical sensor.
- To investigate the sensing capabilities of a two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity.
- To validate the sensor's performance through refractive index measurements.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a microcavity on a silicon-on-insulator substrate.
- Measurement of transmission spectra across a refractive index range of 1.0 to 1.5.
- In situ time-resolved sensing using a water and glycerol mixture.
Main Results:
- The sensor exhibited a resonant wavelength shift of delta(n) = 0.002 for changes in ambient refractive index.
- Experimental results showed a 4% accuracy compared to numerical calculations.
- Successful demonstration of in situ time-resolved sensing during evaporation.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated photonic crystal microcavity sensor is highly sensitive and accurate.
- The sensor shows promise for various biochemical sensing applications.
- The device enables real-time monitoring of chemical and biological processes.