Ultra-sensitive graphene micro-ribbon integrated THz biosensor for breast cancer cell detection

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Terahertz (THz) Spectroscopy
• Biosensor Technology

Background:

• Rising cancer incidence necessitates advanced diagnostic tools.
• Early and rapid cancer cell detection is critical for effective treatment.
• Non-invasive diagnostic methods are highly desirable in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel metasurface-assisted biosensor for rapid, non-invasive detection of breast cancer cells.
• To enhance biosensor performance using graphene micro-ribbons for improved terahertz wave interaction.
• To evaluate the sensitivity, detection limit, and figure of merit for cancer cell sensing.

Main Methods:

• Design and fabrication of a metasurface-assisted biosensor operating in the THz regime.
• Incorporation of graphene micro-ribbons to enhance THz wave interaction.
• Characterization of biosensor performance using specific absorption peaks and frequency shifts.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated three distinct absorption peaks at 2.0012 THz, 2.8734 THz, and 3.2948 THz with high absorption rates.
• Achieved a maximum frequency shift of 49 GHz and a theoretical sensitivity of 3.5 THz/RIU.
• Reported a figure of merit of 6.81 RIU^-1, a detection limit of 0.26 RIU, and a resolution of 0.91 THz.

Conclusions:

• The proposed THz biosensor offers ultra-high sensitivity and a low detection limit for breast cancer cells.
• The portable and miniaturized platform holds significant promise for non-invasive cancer diagnostics.
• The sensor's versatility allows for potential applications in diverse clinical and laboratory settings.