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1/f-noise-free optical sensing with an integrated heterodyne interferometer
Ming Jin1, Shui-Jing Tang2, Jin-Hui Chen2
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communications System and Networks, Department of Electronics, School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
Nature Communications
|March 31, 2021
Summary
This study introduces a novel 1/f-noise-free optical sensor using an up-converted detection system. This breakthrough enables highly sensitive, label-free detection of nanoscale objects, including viruses, at the attogram level.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Biosensing
- Nanotechnology
- Optical Physics
Background:
- Optical evanescent sensors offer sensitive, real-time detection of nanoscale objects for physics and biology.
- Low-frequency 1/f noise limits current sensors, hindering monitoring of critical processes like DNA hybridization and antigen-antibody reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a 1/f-noise-free optical sensor.
- To overcome the detection limits imposed by intrinsic sensor noise.
- To achieve attogram-level label-free detection of single nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of an up-converted detection system.
- Utilizing a CMOS-compatible heterodyne interferometer.
- Demonstration with polystyrene nanobeads and HIV-1 virus-like particles for airborne biosensing.
Main Results:
- Suppressed sampling noise amplitude by two orders of magnitude.
- Achieved label-free single-nanoparticle detection limit at the attogram level.
- Successfully detected nanobeads and virus-like particles without specialized analyte properties.
Conclusions:
- The proposed 1/f-noise-free optical sensor significantly enhances detection sensitivity.
- The technology enables attogram-level, label-free detection, advancing nanoscale sensing.
- Integrated waveguide arrays offer potential for multiplexed, rapid detection of diverse biological targets.
