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

在传感器提供的预期性能中，灵敏度是开发和实施步骤中关注的主要参数。但从最终用户的角度来看，虽然这样的参数占主导地位，但特异性，可移植性，再生，响应时间和长期可靠性也是至关重要的参数，但在RLab-demonstrators中往往被降级为较低的优先级，最终几乎没有机会被工业大规模部署。开发可靠的谐振光学传感器，其允许使用基于耦合到亚微米单模光波导的微谐振器（OMR）的结构来获得高灵敏度，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记光学传感器的设计带来新的视野，主要基于OMR（但不限于），包括创新的纳米结构，关于国家的最先进的，但与务实的观点和评估的数字，优点建立在性能/可靠性折衷的基础上。该应用针对饮用水和两类污染物（汞和草甘膦农药）的检测性能至少与基于标签的检测性能相当。该计划肯定与LN 2/3 IT开展的其他项目有关，目前正在与工业合作伙伴合作解决硅光子学问题。在未来五年内，将解决三个一般主题：- 通过改进创新纳米结构（超材料）的制造工艺，扩大无标记检测能力。提出感测部分以及耦合光源和光电检测的原始集成和封装技术，以实现最佳和鲁棒的耦合效率，从而允许包括微流体部分在内的此类传感器的便携性和可靠性。研究同时检测不同污染物的差分测量的效率。我们亦会对建议的装置进行可靠性测试，以量化在操作条件下可能出现的性能下降。通过对传感器各主要部件的潜在弱点进行分析，实施“可靠性设计”方法，并对最终设计规则提出反馈意见。该计划将与舍布鲁克大学的研究小组和LN 2/3 IT经验丰富的洁净室专业人员密切合作。最后，该计划将有助于培训9名HQP，他们将在微/纳米制造、光学、传感器、封装和测量技术方面获得强大的专业知识和管理经验。HQP将为整合高科技产业和开发有利于加拿大经济的新产品做好充分准备。

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.