In this thesis, planar photonic crystals for optofluidic biosensing applications are analyzed. Planar photonic crystals are optically resonant structures which possess modal characteristics which can be exploited for biosensing applications. Sensing is achieved by detecting changes in refractive index due to analyte interactions in a sampled fluid. This work describes a broad study of photonic crystal slab sensors, with special consideration to biosensing. Outlined are considerations pertaining to sensing figures of merit, device fabrication, and performance.
Results of simulations and device characterization indicate that planar photonic crystals possess sensing attributes similar or better than existing optically resonant refractive index sensors, such as surface plasmon resonance, grating, and interferometric waveguide sensors. Additionally, these photonic crystals can be patterned in large-areas which enable a simple light coupling scheme. All considered, their appeal as a biosensing solution is justified in the area of in vitro diagnostics.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OTU.1807/25560 |
| Date | 31 December 2010 |
| Creators | El Beheiry, Mohamed |
| Contributors | Levi, Ofer |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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