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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Implementation of a Reference Interferometer for Nanodetection
Published on: April 26, 2014
Ultrasensitive nanoparticle detection using a portable whispering gallery mode biosensor driven by a periodically
S I Shopova1, R Rajmangal, Y Nishida
1MicroParticle PhotoPhysics Laboratory for BioPhotonics, Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn, New York 11201, USA.
Abstract:
We demonstrate a significant reduction in the limit of label-free detection of individual viral-sized nanoparticles in aqueous solution through the use of a frequency doubled telecom laser constructed from a distributed feedback-periodically poled lithium-niobate (DFB-PPLN) union. By driving a whispering gallery mode biosensor near a wavelength of 650 nm with this device we have detected real-time adsorption steps for particles 36 nm in radius with a signal to noise ratio of 8. The noise equivalent detection limit is ∼20 ag (17 nm radius). This new lower limit is attributed to the ultralow resonance wavelength noise [(Δλ(r))(rms)/λ(r)<10(-9)] associated with the use of the DFB-PPLN device.
