Optical biosensors using plasmonic and photonic crystal band-gap structures for the detection of basal cell cancer

Theoretical analysis of graded-index topological resonator for improved sensing performance

In this manuscript, what we believe to be a novel hyperbolic-graded topological nano-photonic resonator structure is proposed to excite robust topological edge states. The graded refractive index is realized by considering a porous silicon material having a deliberately modulated local refractive index. The introduction of grading effectively modifies its dispersion characteristics leading to distinctive topological properties. This results in excitation of a topologically protected edge state (TES) having significantly higher interface electric field intensity at an operational wavelength of 1521 nm. Additionally, the impact of interface layer thicknesses on the excitation of these TES is thoroughly investigated. Finally, the structure's capability to be used as a refractive index sensor is also demonstrated. The analytical results demonstrate an average sensitivity of 852.14 nm/RIU, coupled with a quality factor of 4019.23 and a figure of merit (FOM) of 1277.13 RIU-1. With its remarkable performance metrics, the proposed device holds significant promise for accurately detecting and sensing biochemical samples with very high efficiency.

A review on hybridization of plasmonic and photonic crystal biosensors for effective cancer cell diagnosis

Cancer causes one in six deaths worldwide, and 1.6 million cancer patients face annual out-of-pocket medical expenditures. In response to these, portable, label-free, highly sensitive, specific, and responsive optical biosensors are under development. Therefore, in this review, the recent advances, advantages, performance analysis, and current challenges associated with the fabrication of plasmonic biosensors, photonic crystals, and the hybridization of both for cancer diagnosis are assessed. The primary focus is on the development of biosensors that combine different shapes, sizes, and optical properties of metallic and dielectric nanoparticles with various coupling techniques. The latter part discusses the challenges and prospects of developing effective biosensors for early cancer diagnosis using dielectric and metallic nanoparticles. These data will help the audience advance research and development of next-generation plasmonic biosensors for effective cancer diagnosis.

Organic Electronics in Biosensing: A Promising Frontier for Medical and Environmental Applications

The promising field of organic electronics has ushered in a new era of biosensing technology, thus offering a promising frontier for applications in both medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of organic electronics' remarkable progress and potential in biosensing applications. It explores the multifaceted aspects of organic materials and devices, thereby highlighting their unique advantages, such as flexibility, biocompatibility, and low-cost fabrication. The paper delves into the diverse range of biosensors enabled by organic electronics, including electrochemical, optical, piezoelectric, and thermal sensors, thus showcasing their versatility in detecting biomolecules, pathogens, and environmental pollutants. Furthermore, integrating organic biosensors into wearable devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem is discussed, wherein they offer real-time, remote, and personalized monitoring solutions. The review also addresses the current challenges and future prospects of organic biosensing, thus emphasizing the potential for breakthroughs in personalized medicine, environmental sustainability, and the advancement of human health and well-being.

Hexagonal-shaped graphene quantum plasmonic nano-antenna sensor

In this manuscript, a hexagonal-shaped graphene quantum plasmonic nanopatch antenna sensor is designed and investigated on silicon dioxide, zinc oxide and silicon substrates for quantum plasmonic biosensing applications. The optical properties of graphene are demonstrated using Kubo modeling to analyze the plasmon resonance characteristics of the nanopatch antenna. Nano-circuit modeling of the hexagonal-shaped graphene nano-antenna is proposed and validated using CST simulations. The parametric analysis of the hexagonal-shaped nanopatch antenna is performed using design parameters such as R (radius of the hexagon), Tp (thickness of the hexagon) and µc (chemical potential of graphene) to obtain optimum characteristics suitable for quantum plasmonic sensing applications. The study demonstrates that the proposed hexagonal-shaped nano-antenna exhibits gain of 4.9 dBi, 2.46 dBi, 14.99 dBi, 8.25 dBi, 5.15 dBi, 10.87 dBi and 2.4 dBi at 29.87 THz, 30 THz, 35 THz, 113.5 THz, 132.5 THz, 85 THz and 24 THz, respectively. The field enhancement factors observed at these frequencies are 794, 779, 584, 255, 234, 654 and 217, respectively.

Highly sensitive label-free biosensor: graphene/CaF2 multilayer for gas, cancer, virus, and diabetes detection with enhanced quality factor and figure of merit

One of the primary goals for the researchers is to create a high-quality sensor with a simple structure because of the urgent requirement to identify biomolecules at low concentrations to diagnose diseases and detect hazardous chemicals for health early on. Recently graphene has attracted much interest in the field of improved biosensors. Meanwhile, graphene with new materials such as CaF2 has been widely used to improve the applications of graphene-based sensors. Using the fantastic features of the graphene/CaF2 multilayer, this article proposes an improvement sensor in the sensitivity (S), the figure of merit (FOM), and the quality factor (Q). The proposed sensor is based on the five-layers graphene/dielectric grating integrated with a Fabry-Perot cavity. By tuning graphene chemical potential (µc), due to the semi-metal features of graphene, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) waves excited at the graphene/dielectric boundaries. Due to the vertical polarization of the source to the gratings and the symmetry of the electric field, both corners of the grating act as electric dipoles, and this causes the propagation of plasmonic waves on the graphene surface to propagate towards each other. Finally, it causes Fabry-Perot (FP) interference on the surface of graphene in the proposed structure's active medium (the area where the sample is located). In this article, using the inherent nature of FP interference and its S to the environment's refractive index (RI), by changing a minimal amount in the RI of the sample, the resonance wavelength (interferometer order) shifts sharply. The proposed design can detect and sense some cancers, such as Adrenal Gland Cancer, Blood Cancer, Breast Cancer I, Breast Cancer II, Cervical Cancer, and skin cancer precisely. By optimizing the structure, we can achieve an S as high as 9000 nm/RIU and a FOM of about 52.14 for the first resonance order (M1). Likewise, the remarkable S of 38,000 nm/RIU and the FOM of 81 have been obtained for the second mode (M2). In addition, the proposed label-free SPR sensor can detect changes in the concentration of various materials, including gases and biomolecules, hemoglobin, breast cancer, diabetes, leukemia, and most alloys, with an accuracy of 0.001. The proposed sensor can sense urine concentration with a maximum S of 8500 nm/RIU and cancers with high S in the 6000 nm/RIU range to 7000 nm/RIU. Also, four viruses, such as M13 bacteriophage, HIV type one, Herpes simplex type 1, and influenza, have been investigated, showing Maximum S (for second resonance mode of λR(M2) of 8000 nm/RIU (λR(M2) = 11.2 µm), 12,000 nm/RIU (λR(M2) = 10.73 µm), 38,000 nm/RIU (λR(M2) = 11.78 µm), and 12,000 nm/RIU (λR(M2) = 10.6 µm), respectively, and the obtained S for first resonance mode (λR(M1)) for mentioned viruses are 4740 nm/RIU (λR(M1) = 8.7 µm), 8010 nm/RIU (λR(M1) = 8.44 µm), 8100 nm/RIU (λR(M1) = 10.15 µm), and 9000 (λR(M1) = 8.36 µm), respectively.

A single-mode tunable plasmonic sensor based on an 8-shaped resonator for cancer cell detection

In this paper, a novel 8-shaped resonator coupled to metal-insulator-metal waveguides is used for designing plasmonic filters and sensors. The resonator supports two resonance modes, which result in peaks in the transmission spectrum of the structure. A Q-factor of 247.4 which can reach up to 270 at the wavelength of 1187.5 nm is observed. By placing vertical and horizontal metal blades in the resonator, two tunable single-mode plasmonic filters are obtained at the first and second resonance modes, respectively. The effect of structural parameters on the transmission spectrum is investigated using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Based on the obtained results, the proposed plasmonic structure can be used for biosensing applications such as the detection of basal cancer cells with a sensitivity of 1200 nm/RIU. It is of great significance that both the sensitivity and Q-factor values for the proposed structure are higher than most recent sensors reported in the literature. Therefore, the proposed structure is a potentially promising candidate for filtering and sensing applications.

Sensitivity-Tunable Terahertz Liquid/Gas Biosensor Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance with Dirac Semimetal

In this paper, we study the sensitivity-tunable terahertz (THz) liquid/gas biosensor in a coupling prism-three-dimensional Dirac semimetal (3D DSM) multilayer structure. The high sensitivity of the biosensor originates from the sharp reflected peak caused by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) mode. This structure achieves the tunability of sensitivity due to the fact that the reflectance could be modulated by the Fermi energy of 3D DSM. Besides, it is found that the sensitivity curve depends heavily on the structural parameters of 3D DSM. After parameter optimization, we obtained sensitivity over 100°/RIU for liquid biosensor. We believe this simple structure provides a reference idea for realizing high sensitivity and a tunable biosensor device.

MATLAB simulation based study on poliovirus sensing through one-dimensional photonic crystal with defect

The present work, theoretically examined the poliovirus sensor model composed of one-dimensional photonic crystal with defect. The transfer matrix method with the help of MATLAB software has been used to detect poliovirus present in the water sample. The main objective of the present work is to design an efficient sensor by identifying the minute variation in the refractive index of water sample due to change in the poliovirus concentration present in the sample. The alternate layers of aluminum nitride and gallium nitride has been taken to realize Bragg reflector having defect layer of air at center of the Bragg reflector. The effect of change in thickness of defect layer region, period number and incident angle corresponding to transverse electric wave has been examined to optimize the structure which correspond maximum performance of the proposed poliovirus sensing structure. The maximum performance of the structure has been obtained with optimum value of defect layer thickness 1200 nm, period number 10 and incident angle 40°. Under optimum condition maximum sensitivity of 1189.65517 nm/RIU has been obtained when the structure is loaded with waters sample of poliovirus concentration C = 0.005 g/ml whereas figure of merit, quality factor, signal to noise ratio, dynamic range, limit of detection and resolution values become 2618.28446 per RIU, 3102.06475, 2.27791, 2090.99500, 1.91E-05 and 0.24656 respectively.

Biophotonic sensor for swift detection of malignant brain tissues by using nanocomposite YBa2Cu3O7/dielectric material as a 1D defective photonic crystal

In the present research work we have theoretically examined the biosensing capabilities of proposed one dimensional defective photonic crystal for swift detection of malignant brain tissues. The transfer matrix formulation and MATLAB computational tool have been used to examine the transmission properties of proposed structure. The identical buffer layers of nanocomposite superconducting material have been used either side of cavity region to enhance the interaction between incident light and different brain tissue samples poured into the cavity region. All the investigations have been carried out under normal incidence to suppress the experimental liabilities involved. We have investigated the biosensing performance of the proposed design by changing the values of two internal parameters (1) the cavity layer thickness (d₄) and (2) volume fraction (η) of nanocomposite buffer layers one by one to get the optimum biosensing performance from the structure. It has been found that the sensitivity of the proposed design becomes 1.42607 μm/RIU when the cavity region of thickness 15dd is loaded with lymphoma brain tissue. This value of sensitivity can be further increased to 2.66136 μm/RIU with η = 0.8. The findings of this work are very beneficial for designing of various bio-sensing structures composed of nanocomposite materials of diversified biomedical applications.

Development of Two-Dimensional Functional Nanomaterials for Biosensor Applications: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects

New possibilities for the development of biosensors that are ready to be implemented in the field have emerged thanks to the recent progress of functional nanomaterials and the careful engineering of nanostructures. Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have exceptional physical, chemical, highly anisotropic, chemically active, and mechanical capabilities due to their ultra-thin structures. The diversity of the high surface area, layered topologies, and porosity found in 2D nanomaterials makes them amenable to being engineered with surface characteristics that make it possible for targeted identification. By integrating the distinctive features of several varieties of nanostructures and employing them as scaffolds for bimolecular assemblies, biosensing platforms with improved reliability, selectivity, and sensitivity for the identification of a plethora of analytes can be developed. In this review, we compile a number of approaches to using 2D nanomaterials for biomolecule detection. Subsequently, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of using 2D nanomaterials in biosensing. Finally, both the opportunities and the challenges that exist within this potentially fruitful subject are discussed. This review will assist readers in understanding the synthesis of 2D nanomaterials, their alteration by enzymes and composite materials, and the implementation of 2D material-based biosensors for efficient bioanalysis and disease diagnosis.

Hybridization of surface plasmons and photonic crystal resonators for high-sensitivity and high-resolution sensing applications

In this paper, an optical refractive index (RI) sensor based on a hybrid plasmonic-photonic crystal (P-PhC) is designed. In the sensor's structure, some metallic rods are embedded in a rod-type photonic crystal (PhC) structure. Numerical simulations are performed based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The obtained results illustrate that the localized surface plasmons (LSP) induced by metallic rods can be excited in a PhC lattice to generate a hybrid P-PhC mode. According to the results, the hybrid mode provides unique opportunities. Using metallic rods in the coupling regions between waveguides and the resonant cavity significantly increases the interaction of the optical field and analyte inside the cavity. The simulation results reveal that high sensitivity of 1672 nm/RIU and an excellent figure of merit (FoM) of 2388 RIU-1 are obtained for the proposed hybrid P-PhC sensor. These values are highest compared to the purely plasmonic and or purely PhC sensors reported in the literature. The proposed sensor could simultaneously enhance sensitivity and FoM values. Therefore, the proposed hybrid P-PhC RI sensor is a more fascinating candidate for high-sensitivity and high-resolution sensing applications at optic communication wavelengths.

Shining a Light on Cancer - Photonics in Microfluidic Tumor Modelling and Biosensing

Microfluidic platforms represent a powerful approach to miniaturizing important characteristics of cancers, improving in vitro testing by increasing physiological relevance. Different tools can manipulate cells and materials at the microscale, but few offer the efficiency and versatility of light and optical technologies. Moreover, light-driven technologies englobe a broad toolbox for quantifying critical biological phenomena. Herein, we review the role of photonics in microfluidic 3D cancer modeling and biosensing from three major perspectives. First, we look at optical-driven technologies that allow biomaterials and living cells to be manipulated with micro-sized precision and the opportunities to advance 3D microfluidic models by engineering cancer microenvironments' hallmarks, such as their architecture, cellular complexity, and vascularization. Second, we delve into the growing field of optofluidics, exploring how optical tools can directly interface microfluidic chips, enabling the extraction of relevant biological data, from single fluorescent signals to the complete 3D imaging of diseased cells within microchannels. Third, we review advances in optical cancer biosensing, focusing on how light-matter interactions can detect biomarkers, rare circulating tumor cells, and cell-derived structures such as exosomes. We overview photonic technologies' current challenges and caveats in microfluidic 3D cancer models, outlining future research avenues that may catapult the field. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.