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Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities
Published on: November 30, 2012
Specific detection of proteins using photonic crystal waveguides
S C Buswell1, V A Wright, J M Buriak
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2V4, Canada.
Optics Express
|October 1, 2008
Summary
Planar photonic crystal waveguides enable specific protein detection. Immobilized biotin captured streptavidin, causing a measurable red-shift in the waveguide mode cut-off for sensitive biosensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Specific protein detection is crucial for diagnostics and research.
- Planar photonic crystal waveguides offer label-free sensing capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate specific protein detection using planar photonic crystal waveguides.
- To characterize the sensor's response to streptavidin.
- To present an improved sensor design with enhanced performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing immobilized biotin as a probe on photonic crystal waveguides.
- Capturing streptavidin to induce a red-shift in the waveguide mode cut-off.
- Evaluating sensor response to varying streptavidin film thickness and bulk refractive index changes.
Main Results:
- Successfully detected a 2.5 nm streptavidin film.
- Observed a 0.86 nm cut-off red-shift upon streptavidin capture.
- An improved sensor design demonstrated a 40% enhancement in bulk refractive index response.
Conclusions:
- Planar photonic crystal waveguides provide a sensitive platform for specific protein detection.
- The sensor's mode cut-off shift is a reliable indicator of protein binding.
- The enhanced sensor design offers improved performance for refractive index sensing.
