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Published on: May 1, 2012
Coupling variation induced ultrasensitive label-free biosensing by using single mode coupled microcavity laser
1State Key Lab for Advanced Photonic Materials and Devices, Department of Optical Science and Engineering, School of Information Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|November 19, 2009
Summary
This study presents a novel label-free optical biosensor using a coupled microcavity laser. It achieves ultrasensitive detection of biosamples like bovine serum albumin (BSA) through laser mode hopping, offering a simplified yet effective sensing platform.
Area of Science:
- Optics
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Label-free optical biosensing is crucial for real-time biomolecular detection.
- Microcavity lasers offer potential for sensitive optical measurements.
- Existing methods often require complex setups or have limitations in detection range.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a novel label-free optical biosensing scheme.
- To utilize a single mode coupled microcavity laser for sensitive detection.
- To achieve a broad detection range for biosamples.
Main Methods:
- Experimental realization of a single mode coupled microcavity laser.
- Monitoring laser mode hopping induced by changes in coupling coefficient due to biosamples.
- Quantifying the intensity of the hopped laser mode.
Main Results:
- A novel label-free optical biosensing scheme was successfully demonstrated.
- The sensor detected bovine serum albumin (BSA) down to approximately 80 pg/mL.
- A simplified experimental setup achieved sensitivity comparable to high-Q passive sensors.
- A combined mode hopping and mode shift mechanism provided a detection range from pg/mL to µg/mL.
Conclusions:
- A coupled optical microcavity laser can be used for ultrasensitive optical sensing.
- The proposed method offers a simplified and effective approach for label-free biosensing.
- This technology holds promise for various diagnostic and analytical applications.
