On-a-chip Biosensing Based on All-Dielectric Nanoresonators

Abstract

Nanophotonics has become a key enabling technology in biomedicine with great promises in early diagnosis and less invasive therapies. In this context, the unique capability of plasmonic noble metal nanoparticles to concentrate light on the nanometer scale has widely contributed to biosensing and enhanced spectroscopy. Recently, high-refractive index dielectric nanostructures featuring low loss resonances have been proposed as a promising alternative to nanoplasmonics, potentially offering better sensing performances along with full compatibility with the microelectronics industry. In this letter we report the first demonstration of biosensing with silicon nanoresonators integrated in state-of-the-art microfluidics. Our lab-on-a-chip platform enables detecting Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) cancer marker in human serum with a sensitivity that meets clinical needs. These performances are directly compared with its plasmonic counterpart based on gold nanorods. Our work opens new opportunities in the development of future point-of-care devices toward a more personalized healthcare.

High aspect ratio titanium nitride trench structures as plasmonic biosensor

“…Reported sensitivities over 1000 nm/RIU were achieved for telecommunication wavelengths around λ = 1500 nm [14] with a larger grating period as the BRIS of RWAs-based sensors scales with their pitch [13]. Moreover, the sensitivity our structure is also comparable and even slightly outperforming those of all-dielectric structures in the near-infrared wavelengths, such as dielectric photonic crystal biosensing platform with 310 nm/RIU for HIV virus detection [44,45], Si resonators with 227 nm/RIU for cancer biomarker detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA, limit of detection, LOD: 0.87 ng/ml) [51], high-contrast grating resonator with 418 nm/RIU for label-free detection of cardiac disease biomaker, serum cardiac troponin I (LOD: 0.1 ng/ml) [46].…”

The conformation of bovine serum albumin adsorbed to the surface of single all‐dielectric nanoparticles following light‐induced heating

“…All‐dielectric NPs and nanostructures promote optical field localization near the surface and redirection of light to biomolecules that interact poorly with light. It also should be noted that such NPs are promising candidates for bioimaging , biosensing and heat therapy . In addition, most all‐dielectric NPs are rapidly bio‐degradable and relatively non‐toxic .…”

“…In addition, most all‐dielectric NPs are rapidly bio‐degradable and relatively non‐toxic . However, few available reports on biophotonic applications of such NPs have not addressed potential conformational changes in biomolecules adsorbed on their surface.…”

Characterization of Dynamic and Nanoscale Materials and Metamaterials with Continuously Referenced Interferometry

“…Metasurfaces have demonstrated potential for applications such as focusing and hologram generation, as well as applications in photonic communications . Metasurfaces have also been demonstrated as critical components in sensing and measurement devices . Dynamic function is a much‐desired property for many applications.…”