Photonic crystal biosensor in spatial fourier domain

We propose a photonic crystal biosensor, operating at a single wavelength, based on analysis of resonant guided modes in the spatial Fourier domain. Sensitivities of 65 degrees per RIU and more have been simulated

Digital microfluidics with pressure-based actuation

One of the key issues in biosensors is the time it takes for biomolecules in a solution to reach and bind to the sensor surface (particularly in low-concentration analytes). We present a novel flow scheme without microfluidic channels for label-free biosensors to decrease the delivery time of biomolecules. Through designing the biosensor in such a way that it becomes a membrane with holes, we can apply a droplet on it and push or pull it through the membrane by means of a pressure difference. Contrary to traditional microfluidics for, e.g., flow cells where the analyte flows over the sensor, the flow is now directed through the sensor. We have implemented this scheme in silicon-on-insulator biosensors and have demonstrated in a first proof-of-principle experiment, an improvement in delivery time of at least a factor of three

Integrated optical pressure sensors in silicon-on-insulator

An optical pressure sensor can be useful in many applications where electronics fall short (e.g., explosive environments). We have fabricated and characterized compact, integrated optical pressure sensors on a silicon-on-insulator platform using ring resonators and Mach-Zehnder interferometers. The silicon substrate is locally etched using KOH to produce very thin membranes of 3.28 mu m. Measurements have shown that spectral features in our devices can shift up to 370 pm going from 0 to 80 kPa

Integrated differential pressure sensor in silicon-on-insulator

We have fabricated and characterized a compact integrated optical pressure sensor in silicon-on-insulator. Measurements have shown that spectral features in our device can shift up to 1585 pm going from -20 to 80 kPa

Silicon photonics biosensing: different packaging platforms and applications

We present two different platforms integrating silicon photonic biosensors. One is based on integration with reaction tubes to be compatible with traditional lab approaches. The other uses through-chip fluidics in order to achieve better mixing of the analyte