Wavelength interrogation of optical waveguide biosensors in the input grating coupler configuration

A planar optical waveguide with an input grating coupler was used as an affinity-based biodetection device. Nanoimprint lithography was used to integrate the grating patterns with low loss silicon oxynitride thin-film waveguides. A widely tunable laser source at 1550nm was used to characterize the device sensitivity to bulk medium changes, to thin film adsorption, and to streptavidin protein. For each test, a comparison was performed between the sensitivity of wavelength interrogation and the more standard angular interrogation approach. The effects of surface reflections on the measured coupling curves were observed and interpreted, with mitigation options being considered. © 2009 SPIE.

Duke Scholars

Author Sonia Grego Electrical and Computer Engineering

Author Brian R. Stoner Electrical and Computer Engineering