Chalcogenide glass optical waveguides for infrared biosensing.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Chalcogenide (Chg) glasses possess unique optical properties suitable for advanced photonic devices.
• Optical biosensors are crucial for rapid, in situ monitoring of biological processes.
• Mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy offers valuable insights into molecular composition and metabolic states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize Chg optical fibers and planar waveguides for biosensing.
• To develop a Chg-based biosensor for in situ, remote spectroscopic analysis of metabolic alterations.
• To investigate the potential of Chg waveguides for integrated microsensors and functionalized biosensing.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Chg optical fibers and planar waveguides.
• Development of a biosensor utilizing MIR spectroscopy via remote spectroscopy.
• Application of reactive ion etching for patterning rib waveguides and Y optical junctions.
• In vivo studies involving transient focal ischemia in rats and starvation in mice, with microdialysis as a reference method.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated successful fabrication of Chg optical fibers and planar waveguides.
• Developed a biosensor capable of collecting infrared spectra remotely through simple sample contact.
• Observed spectral modifications related to cerebral metabolism during ischemia and liver metabolism during starvation.
• Fabricated integrated microsensors with Y optical junctions for enhanced sensitivity and stability.

Conclusions:

• Chg optical waveguides show significant promise for the development of advanced optical biosensors.
• The developed biosensor enables rapid, in situ, and remote monitoring of metabolic changes in biological systems.
• Chg planar waveguides offer potential for creating sensitive and stable integrated microsensors for various (bio)sensing applications.