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

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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.