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Label-free direct-optical biosensors such as surface-plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy has become a gold standard in biochemical analytics in centralized laboratories. Biosensors based on photonic integrated circuits (PIC) are based on the same physical sensing mechanism: evanescent field sensing. PIC-based biosensors can play an important role in healthcare, especially for point-of-care diagnostics, if challenges for a transfer from research laboratory to industrial applications can be overcome. Research is at this threshold, which presents a great opportunity for innovative on-site analyses in the health and environmental sectors. A deeper understanding of the innovative PIC technology is possible by comparing it with the well-established SPR spectroscopy. In this work, we shortly introduce both technologies and reveal similarities and differences. Further, we review some latest advances and compare both technologies in terms of surface functionalization and sensor performance.
Direct optical detection methods such as surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) and photonic-integrated-circuits (PIC)-based biosensors provide a fast label-free detection of COVID-19 antibodies in real-time. Each technology, i.e., SPRi and PIC, has advantages and disadvantages in terms of throughput, miniaturization, multiplexing, system integration, and cost-effective mass production. However, both technologies share similarities in terms of sensing mechanism and both can be used as high-content diagnostics at or near to point of care, where the analyte is not just quantified but comprehensively characterized. This is significant because recent results suggest that not only the antibody concentration of the three isotypes IgM, IgG, and IgA but also the strength of binding (affinity) gives an indication of potential COVID-19 severity. COVID-19 patients with high titers of low affinity antibodies are associated with disease severity. In this perspective, we provide some insights into how SPR and PIC technologies can be effectively combined and complementarily used for a comprehensive COVID-19 severity monitoring. This opens a route toward an immediate therapy decision to provide patients a treatment in an early stage of the infection, which could drastically lowers the risk of a severe disease course.
Knowledge of optical constants, i.e. refractive index n and extinction coefficient k, and light scattering properties of optical polymers are required to optimize micro-optics for light-emitting diodes in terms of efficiency, color properties and light distribution. We present here a model-based diagnostic approach to determine the optical properties of polymers, which should be particularly useful in the development of plastics for optical applications. Optical constants and scattering coefficients were obtained from transmission and reflection measurements in a wavelength range from UV to NIR taking into account scattering effects due to rough surfaces and volume inhomogeneity. Based on the models for the dielectric function, the molecular optical transition energies Eg, critical point energies, Urbach energies and exciton transition energies were determined. Rayleigh and Mie scattering model and van de Hulst's anomalous diffraction theory were applied to characterize scattering due to volume inhomogeneities. Scalar diffraction theory was applied to account for surface roughness scattering. Atomic force microscopy with nanomechanical characterization was used to characterize domains in size and shape and to assign optical scattering to a suitable morphological model. The combined optical and mechanical characterization help to improve the qualification of new polymer materials for optical applications.
Electro-optical properties of doped polymers with high transparency in the visible wavelength range
(2021)
The electro-optical (EO) properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) and the photopolymer poly(vinyl cinnamate) doped with varying concentrations of the EO chromophore 2-Methyl-4-nitroaniline were measured. The EO polymers were embedded in Fabry-Pérot etalons for the simultaneous determination of the Pockels and Kerr coefficients from measurements of the fringe shift induced by an external electric field. It was found that the host polymer has a significant impact on the EO performance and that the undoped host polymers exhibit a significant Pockels effect. Moreover, the Kerr effect provides a substantial contribution of 27% to the total change of the refractive index at relatively high electric field strengths of E = 91.2 MV m−1.