Study of innovative materials, structures engineering and packaging process for enhanced-sensitive and reliable label-free photonic sensors

在由传感器提供的预期性能中，灵敏度是在开发和实施过程中备受关注的关键参数。但从最终用户的角度来看，尽管这样的参数占主导地位，但特异性、便携性、再生性、响应时间和长期可靠性也是关键参数，但在RLab-演示器中往往被降级为较低的优先级，最终几乎没有机会被行业大规模部署。 目前，基于耦合到亚微米级单模光波导的微环谐振器(OMR)的结构可以获得高灵敏度的可靠谐振式光学传感器的开发也面临着同样的问题。 这项研究计划旨在为基于聚合物的无标签光学传感器的设计带来新的愿景，主要基于OMR(但不限于)，并包括关于最新技术的创新纳米结构，但以务实的观点和对建立在性能/可靠性折衷基础上的优点系数进行评估。 该应用程序针对饮用水和两种污染物(汞和草甘膦杀虫剂)，其检测性能至少与基于标签的检测性能相同。 这项计划肯定会与LN2/3IT执行的其他项目相关，目前正在与工业合作伙伴合作解决硅光子学问题。 在未来五年，将讨论三个一般主题： -通过创新的纳米结构(超材料)改进制造工艺，扩大无标签检测能力。 -提出传感部分的原创集成和封装技术，以及光源和光探测器的耦合，以保证最佳和健壮的耦合 高效率，包括微流控部件在内的此类传感器的便携性和可靠性。 -研究差示测量同时检测不同污染物的效率。 还将对拟议的设备进行可靠性测试，以量化在运行条件下可能降低的性能。将在分析传感器各主要部件的潜在弱点的基础上实施“可靠性设计”方法，以提出对最终设计规则的反馈意见。 这项计划将与舍布鲁克大学的研究小组和LN2/3IT经验丰富的洁净室专业人员密切合作进行。 最后，该计划将有助于培训9名HQP，他们将获得在微/纳米制造、光学、传感器、封装和测量技术方面的强大专业知识和管理经验。HQP将做好充分准备，整合高科技产业，开发有利于加拿大经济的新产品。

Among expected performances and provided by a sensor, sensitivity is the key parameter focusing the main attention during the steps of development and implementation. But from the end-user's point of view, although that such a parameter is dominant, specificity, portability, regeneration, response time and long-term reliability are also crucial parameters but are often relegated to a lower priority in the RLab-demonstrators” that finally have little chance to be deployed at a large scale by industry. Currently, the development of reliable resonant optical sensors allowing to obtain high sensitivity using structures based on microring resonators (OMR) coupled to submicronic single mode optical waveguides, are facing the same issue. This research program aims to bring a new vision on the design of polymer-based label-free optical sensors, mainly based on OMR (but not restricted to) and including innovative nanostructures regarding the state-of-the-art but with a pragmatic view and assessment of the figure-of-merit built on the performance/reliability compromise. The application targets drinking water and two types of pollutants (mercury and glyphosate pesticide) with a detection performance at least equal to label-based one. This program will be surely relevant for other projects carried out at LN2/3IT and currently addressing silicon photonics in collaboration with industrial partners. For the next five years, three general themes will be addressed: - Expand the label-free detection capabilities by improving fabrication process with innovative nanostructures (metamaterials). - Propose original integration and packaging techniques of the sensing part as well as the coupled light source and photodetection guarantying the optimal and robust coupling efficiency allowing both portability and reliability of such sensors including the microfluidics part. - Investigate on the efficiency of differential measurement for simultaneous detection of different pollutants. Reliability testing of the proposed devices will be also performed to quantify possible reduction of performances in operating conditions. A “Design for reliability” approach will be implemented based on the analysis of potential weaknesses of each main part of the sensor to propose feedbacks on the final design rules. This program will be carried out in close collaboration with research groups of the Université de Sherbrooke and the experienced cleanroom professional staff of LN2/3IT. Finally, this program will contribute in the training of 9 HQP who will acquire a strong expertise and management experience in micro/nanofabrication, optics, sensors, packaging and measurement techniques. The HQP will be well prepared to integrate the high-tech industry and develop new products which will benefit Canada's economy.