Integrated photonic biosensors for time domain measurements

光作为其环境的非接触和高精度探针的能力为光学传感器提供了许多有吸引力的功能。虽然各种光学传感技术已经广泛用于生物医学，环境和工业领域的许多不同应用，但该技术尚未充分发挥其潜力。光学微谐振器代表了已知的最灵敏的光学传感器类别。它们通常是由非常低损耗的材料制成的球体或环形。光以“回音壁”模式的形式在这些设备的内部传播。表面特性的任何变化都会影响谐振频率，这是可以测量的。通过在表面涂上一层化学物质，可以特异性地与我们想要检测的分子结合，我们就可以形成一个传感器。

The ability of light to act as a non-contact and high precision probe of its environment provides optical sensors with many attractive capabilities. Whilst various optical sensing technologies are already widely used for many different applications in the biomedical, environmental and industrial sector, this technology has not yet achieved its full potential. Optical micro-resonators represent the most sensitive class of optical sensors known. They are typically spheres or toroids made from a very low loss material. Light propagates around the inside of these devices in the form of ‘whispering gallery’ modes. Any change to the surface properties will influence the resonant frequency, which can be measured. By coating the surface with a chemistry that will bind specifically to the molecules that we are seeking to detect we can form a sensor.