Microring resonators with flow-through nanopores for nanoparticle counting and sizing

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Nanotechnology
• Biosensing

Background:

• Accurate nanoparticle characterization is crucial for various scientific and industrial applications.
• Existing methods for nanoparticle counting and sizing face limitations in precision and sensitivity.
• Development of novel sensing platforms is needed for real-time, high-resolution analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and theoretically analyze a high-precision method for nanoparticle counting and sizing.
• To investigate the potential of a microring resonator-waveguide system for detecting sub-10 nm nanoparticles.
• To establish a relationship between detected signal amplitude and nanoparticle volume.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a microring resonator-waveguide system integrated with a flow-through nanopore.
• Applying coupled-mode theory for theoretical analysis of the system's response to nanoparticles.
• Simulating the detection of temporal pulse signals generated by nanoparticles passing through the nanopore.

Main Results:

• Theoretical analysis confirms the generation of a temporal pulse signal as nanoparticles traverse the nanopore.
• The peak amplitude of the detected signal shows a linear dependence on the nanoparticle volume.
• The system is estimated to be capable of detecting nanoparticles as small as sub-10 nm.

Conclusions:

• The proposed microring resonator-waveguide system offers a promising approach for high-precision nanoparticle counting and sizing.
• The linear relationship between signal amplitude and volume allows for accurate size determination.
• This method holds potential for sensitive detection of nanoscale particles, including those below 10 nm.