Photonic Biosensor in Young Interferometer Configuration
POSTER
Abstract
In this research, we present the development and characterization of a highly sensitive
photonic biosensor based on the Young interferometer configuration. The sensor leverages
the principles of photonic waveguides and interference to achieve precise measurements
of biomolecular interactions.
The core of our biosensor consists of a 54 nm thick Si3N4waveguide, optimized for single-
mode operation in air. This waveguide exhibits excellent sensitivity due to its enhanced
interaction with the surrounding medium. We demonstrated bulk sensing measurements
using glucose solutions of varying concentrations, with the sensor producing high-quality
interference fringes in the output. The visibility of these fringes, defined as
( Imax-Imin)/ (Imax+Imin) exceeded 0.75 in all experiments, indicating high signal clarity and low
noise.
Our photonic chip's ability to produce clear and consistent fringes allows for accurate
phase estimation from the fitted interference patterns. The low error in phase estimation is
attributed to the superior fringe visibility and reduced interference noise. This research
highlights the potential of photonic waveguide-based biosensors in achieving high
sensitivity and specificity for various biochemical sensing applications.
The results demonstrate that our photonic biosensor can serve as a powerful tool for real-
time monitoring of biomolecular interactions, offering significant advantages in fields such
as medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial process control.
photonic biosensor based on the Young interferometer configuration. The sensor leverages
the principles of photonic waveguides and interference to achieve precise measurements
of biomolecular interactions.
The core of our biosensor consists of a 54 nm thick Si3N4waveguide, optimized for single-
mode operation in air. This waveguide exhibits excellent sensitivity due to its enhanced
interaction with the surrounding medium. We demonstrated bulk sensing measurements
using glucose solutions of varying concentrations, with the sensor producing high-quality
interference fringes in the output. The visibility of these fringes, defined as
( Imax-Imin)/ (Imax+Imin) exceeded 0.75 in all experiments, indicating high signal clarity and low
noise.
Our photonic chip's ability to produce clear and consistent fringes allows for accurate
phase estimation from the fitted interference patterns. The low error in phase estimation is
attributed to the superior fringe visibility and reduced interference noise. This research
highlights the potential of photonic waveguide-based biosensors in achieving high
sensitivity and specificity for various biochemical sensing applications.
The results demonstrate that our photonic biosensor can serve as a powerful tool for real-
time monitoring of biomolecular interactions, offering significant advantages in fields such
as medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial process control.
*S.D. is supported by Herman F. Heep and Minnie Belle Heep Texas A&M University Endowed Fund held/administered by the Texas A&M Foundation. We want to thank the Robert A. Welch Foundation (grants A-1261 and A-1547), the DARPA PhENOM program, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (Award No. FA9550-20-10366), and the National Science Foundation (Grant No. PHY-2013771). This material is also based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research under Award Number DE-SC-0023103, DE-AC36-08GO28308.
Publication: https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.02287
Presenters
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Sahar Delfan
- Texas A&M University