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Highly Sensitive Refractive Index Sensor Based on Polymer Bragg Grating: A Case Study on Extracellular Vesicles
Nabarun Saha1, Giuseppe Brunetti1, Arun Kumar2
1Optoelectronics Laboratory, Politecnico di Bari, Via E. Orabona 6, 70125 Bari, Italy.
Biosensors
|June 23, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a novel refractive index (RI) sensor for early cancer detection using extracellular vesicles (EVs). The highly sensitive sensor offers a cost-effective, non-invasive approach for liquid biopsy diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Optical Sensing
Background:
- Refractive index (RI) sensing enables biochemical analysis for non-invasive medical diagnostics.
- Liquid biopsy using extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a promising, less invasive cancer detection method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a highly sensitive RI sensor for early-stage cancer diagnosis.
- To enhance sensor performance using a metal undercladding and high-index coating.
Main Methods:
- Developed a compact polymer waveguide Bragg grating sensor with a metal undercladding and high-index coating.
- Utilized finite element method (FEM) and coupled-mode theory (CMT) for sensor analysis.
Main Results:
- Achieved high RI sensitivity (408-861 nm/RIU) over a broad dynamic range (1.32-1.44).
- Demonstrated a strong evanescent field suitable for detecting extracellular vesicles (EVs).
Conclusions:
- The proposed sensor is suitable for real-time, on-chip early cancer diagnosis.
- The sensor design offers enhanced sensitivity and dynamic range for biochemical analysis.
