Integrated Optical Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Based on Organic-Inorganic Hybrids for Photonics-on-a-Chip Biosensing
Ana R Bastos1,2,3, Carlos M S Vicente4,5, Rui Oliveira-Silva6
1Department of Physics and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. rita.bastos@ua.pt.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 15, 2018
Summary
We developed a low-cost, portable optical biosensor using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to detect bacteria like E. coli. This photonics-on-a-chip device offers a fast, cost-effective solution for real-time cell monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Biosensing
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Real-time diagnosis requires advanced analytical methods.
- Integrated optics-based biosensors offer advantages over current techniques.
- Photonics-on-a-chip devices are crucial for portable diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize a novel optical sensor for monitoring bacterial growth.
- To demonstrate the sensor's effectiveness using E. coli.
- To develop a cost-effective and efficient biosensing solution.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer sensor using UV-laser imprinting on di-ureasil hybrid films.
- Characterization of the sensor's performance in detecting E. coli in an aqueous medium.
- Evaluation of the di-ureasil hybrid material's properties, including mechanical flexibility and thermal stability.
Main Results:
- The sensor achieved high sensitivity (2 × 10-4 RIU) and a low limit of detection (LOD = 2 × 10-4).
- The fabrication method reduced complexity and cost compared to traditional lithography.
- The di-ureasil hybrid material exhibited favorable properties like mechanical flexibility and thermal stability.
Conclusions:
- The developed optical biosensor is a compact, fast, and cost-effective solution for real-time monitoring of live-cell concentrations.
- The sensor demonstrates excellent performance, suitable for portable, low-cost diagnostic devices.
- This technology advances photonics-on-a-chip applications in bacterial detection and monitoring.
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