Near ultraviolet-wavelength photonic-crystal biosensor with enhanced surface to bulk sensitivity ratio

摘要

Biosensors are disclosed based on one- or two-dimensional photonic-crystal reflectance filters operating at near-ultraviolet wavelengths. Rigorous Coupled-Wave Analysis simulations predict a more tightly confined resonant electric field at the surface of this biosensor as compared to previously fabricated near-infrared photonic-crystal biosensors. This change in the resonant electric field provides an improvement of over 4.5 times in the surface-sensitivity to bulk-sensitivity ratio, and therefore enables enhanced detection resolution for biomolecules adsorbed on the biosensor surface. These new biosensors can be fabricated in mass by replica molding. They are especially well suited for applications requiring the detection of small molecules or ultra-low analyte concentrations.