Novel nano-scale silicon-based athermal optical sensing technologies

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Nano-scale waveguide based optical sensing is an emerging field for biosensing, and is a very promising and highly sensitive technology offering instantaneous detection of target bio-molecules at a very low cost. The nano-scale size is a crucial advantage in sample-limited applications where molecular interactions can be detected effectively with a very small quantity of analytes; however current sensor performance is limited by temperature effects, which compromise detector accuracy. In this research, student teams will model, design and fabricate components for three novel, athermal (i.e. temperature-independent), nano-scale silicon-based waveguide sensing technologies: resonator based evanescent field sensor, plasmonic sensor, and subwavelength grating waveguide sensor. These use unique new chip designs (fabricated in-house at Carleton University) including stacked ring resonators, a tilted Bragg grating, and a subwavelength grating configuration. Athermal solutions will be a technological innovation for sensing technology by eliminating the need for on-chip heaters and feedback systems, reducing power consumption and decreasing the sensor's footprint. Active collaboration with top silicon photonics research groups at MIT and the National Research Council (NRC), as well as an interdisciplinary research environment including chemists and medical clinicians, will guide the research in a successful direction. The three new designs address a broad spectrum of sensing applications in medical research and diagnosis, including detection and treatment of infectious diseases. The research program will contribute significantly to society, health, and quality of life in Canada and offers a long-term impact on the Canadian health and medical systems. In addition, results from this research can create new economic ventures and increase the global competitiveness of Canadian industry in new technologies. The program will also create valuable opportunities for the training of highly qualified personnel in the field of nano-scale optical biosensing, for potential growth contributions to Canada's knowledge-based economy.