Abstract

High-Sensitivity, Cost-Effective Nanophotonic Biosensor Substrates

Arash Farhang, Optics Scientist, MOXTEK, Inc.

Numerous publications demonstrate that nanophotonic substrates offer the extraordinary surface sensitivity that enables many biosensing applications. Thus far colloidal-nanoparticle-based arrays and thin metallic films are the only such truly large scale substrates that have been available commercially. Moxtek has developed nanophotonic technologies and cost-effective volume production capabilities that enable and improve numerous biosensor applications. This technology greatly enhances fluorescence and label-free assay sensitivity through the utilization of surface plasmon, guided-mode, and gap-mode resonances. Such heightened sensitivity enables significantly-lower detection limits in molecular/chemical detection, microarrays, and other bioassay technologies, applications. These in turn open the doors to additional markets such as medical/point-of-care diagnostics, forensic testing, environmental monitoring, and food safety.  Theoretical and measured data on the performance of these nanophotonic technologies, possible applications, and an overview of the available developmental and commercial manufacturing capabilities will be presented.