摘要:
Methods and devices relating to a sensor for use in detecting and monitoring molecular interactions. A silicon waveguide sensing element is provided along with a layer of silicon. A silicon oxide layer is also provided between the waveguide element and the layer of silicon. The sensing element is adjacent to an aqueous solution in which the molecular interactions are occurring. A light beam travelling in the silicon waveguide creates an evanescent optical field on the surface of the sensing element adjacent to the boundary between the sensing element and the aqueous medium. Molecular interactions occurring on this surface affect the intensity or the phase of the light beam travelling through the waveguide by changing the effective refractive index of the medium. By measuring the effect on the intensity, phase, or speed of the light beam, the molecular interactions can be detected and monitored in real time.
摘要:
An interface device for performing mode transformation in optical waveguides includes an optical waveguide core for propagating light of a particular wavelength or a plurality of wavelengths. The optical waveguide core terminates in a subwavelength grating configured to change the propagation mode of the light. The subwavelength grating has a pitch sufficiently less than the wavelength of the light to frustrate diffraction. The device can thus serve as an optical coupler between different propagating media, or as an anti-reflective or high reflectivity device.
摘要:
Methods and devices related to a sensor element for use in the detection and monitoring of molecular interactions. The sensor element uses a silicon-on-insulator wafer optically coupled to a silicon prism. The wafer has a thin silicon film top layer, a silicon substrate layer, and a buried silicon dioxide layer sandwiched between the silicon film and substrate layers. The wafer is coupled to the prism on the wafer's substrate side while the interactions to be monitored are placed on the wafer's silicon film side. An incident beam is directed at the prism and the incident angle is adjusted until the beam optically couples to the silicon film's optical waveguide mode. When this occurs, a decrease in the intensity of the reflected beam can be detected. The molecular interactions affect the phase velocity or wave vector of the propagating mode. Similarly, instead of measuring the incident angle at which optical coupling occurs, the phase of the reflected beam may be measured.
摘要:
A technique for high sensitivity evanescent field molecular sensing employs a detection scheme that simultaneously couples a polarized beam to a single mode of a waveguide, and couples the polarized beam out of the waveguide to specularly reflect the beam by the same grating. Strong interaction with the single (preferably TM) mode is provided by using a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer having a waveguide thickness chosen between 10-400 nm so that the majority of the mode field strength spans the evanescent field. Well known, robust techniques for producing a grating on the waveguide are provided. Interrogation from a backside of the SOI wafer is taught.
摘要:
A waveguide cores consisting of a subwavelength grating permits transmission of light without diffraction in a discontinuous manner, wherein the energy is provided by field hopping between subwavelength material segments of higher index. The use of alternating segments permits design of waveguides having desired effective index, mode confinement factor, birefringence, polarization mode or mode dispersions, polarization dependent loss, thermal sensitivity, or nonlinear optical coefficient. An optical system comprises a waveguide having such a core, clad on at least one side, extending between two ends, and wavelength-limiting optical components in optical communication with the ends.
摘要:
A technique for high sensitivity evanescent field molecular sensing employs a detection scheme that simultaneously couples a polarized beam to a single mode of a waveguide, and couples the polarized beam out of the waveguide to specularly reflect the beam by the same grating. Strong interaction with the single (preferably TM) mode is provided by using a silicon on insulator (SOI) wafer having a waveguide thickness chosen between 10-400 nm so that the majority of the mode field strength spans the evanescent field. Well known, robust techniques for producing a grating on the waveguide are provided. Interrogation from a backside of the SOI wafer is taught.
摘要:
An interface device for performing mode transformation in optical waveguides includes an optical waveguide core for propagating light of a particular wavelength. The optical waveguide core terminates in a subwavelength grating configured to change the propagation mode of the light. The subwavelength grating has a pitch sufficiently less than the wavelength of the light to frustrate diffraction. The device can thus serve as an optical coupler between different propagating media, or as an anti-reflective or high reflectivity device.
摘要:
A waveguide cores consisting of a subwavelength grating permits transmission of light without diffraction in a discontinuous manner, wherein the energy is provided by field hopping between subwavelength material segments of higher index. The use of alternating segments permits design of waveguides having desired effective index, mode confinement factor, birefringence, polarization mode or mode dispersions, polarization dependent loss, thermal sensitivity, or nonlinear optical coefficient. An optical system comprises a waveguide having such a core, clad on at least one side, extending between two ends, and wavelength-limiting optical components in optical communication with the ends.
摘要:
Methods and devices relating to sensors and sensor blocks for use in detecting and monitoring molecular interactions. A silicon waveguide sensing element is provided along with a layer of silicon. A silicon oxide layer is also provided between the waveguide element and the layer of silicon. The sensing element is adjacent to an aqueous solution in which the molecular interactions are occurring. A light beam travelling in the silicon waveguide creates an evanescent optical field on the surface of the sensing element adjacent to the boundary between the sensing element and the aqueous medium. Molecular interactions occurring on this surface affect the intensity or the phase of the light beam travelling through the waveguide by changing the effective refractive index of the medium. By measuring the effect on the intensity, phase, or speed of the light beam, the molecular interactions can be detected and monitored in real time. Various configurations using this sensor technology is also disclosed.
摘要:
Methods and devices relating to a sensor for use in detecting and monitoring molecular interactions. A silicon waveguide sensing element is provided along with a layer of silicon. A silicon oxide layer is also provided between the waveguide element and the layer of silicon. The sensing element is adjacent to an aqueous solution in which the molecular interactions are occurring. A light beam travelling in the silicon waveguide creates an evanescent optical field on the surface of the sensing element adjacent to the boundary between the sensing element and the aqueous medium. Molecular interactions occurring on this surface affect the intensity or the phase of the light beam travelling through the waveguide by changing the effective refractive index of the medium. By measuring the effect on the intensity, phase, or speed of the light beam, the molecular interactions can be detected and monitored in real time.