An overview is presented of the current state-of-the-art in silicon nanophotonic ring resonators. Basic theory of ring resonators is discussed, and applied to the peculiarities of submicron silicon photonic wire waveguides: the small dimensions and tight bend radii, sensitivity to perturbations and the boundary conditions of the fabrication processes. Theory is compared to quantitative measurements. Finally, several of the more promising applications of silicon ring resonators are discussed: filters and optical delay lines, label-free biosensors, and active rings for efficient modulators and even light sources.

/pdf/silicon-microring-resonators-3fzr4lpxbh.pdf

Silicon microring resonators

The application of portable, easy-to-use and highly sensitive lab-on-a-chip biosensing devices for real-time diagnosis could offer significant advantages over current analytical methods. Integrated optics-based biosensors have become the most suitable technology for lab-on-chip integration due to their ability for miniaturization, their extreme sensitivity, robustness, reliability, and their potential for multiplexing and mass production at low cost. This review provides an extended overview of the state-of-the-art in integrated photonic biosensors technology including interferometers, grating couplers, microring resonators, photonic crystals and other novel nanophotonic transducers. Particular emphasis has been placed on describing their real biosensing applications and wherever possible a comparison of the sensing performances between each type of device is included. The way towards achieving operative lab-on-a-chip platform incorporating the photonic biosensors is also reviewed. Concluding remarks regarding the future prospects and potential impact of this technology are also provided.

/pdf/integrated-optical-devices-for-lab-on-a-chip-biosensing-4dvxngj3uf.pdf

Integrated optical devices for lab-on-a-chip biosensing applications

Optical microcavities that confi ne light in high-Q resonance promise all of the capabilities required for a successful nextgeneration microsystem biodetection technology. Label-free detection down to single molecules as well as operation in aqueous environments can be integrated cost-effectively on microchips, together with other photonic components, as well as electronic ones. We provide a comprehensive review of the sensing mechanisms utilized in this emerging fi eld, their physics, engineering and material science aspects, and their application to nanoparticle analysis and biomolecular detection. We survey the most recent developments such as the use of mode splitting for self-referenced measurements, plasmonic nanoantennas for signal enhancements, the use of optical force for nanoparticle manipulation as well as the design of active devices for ultra-sensitive detection. Furthermore, we provide an outlook on the exciting capabilities of functionalized high-Q microcavities in the life sciences.

/pdf/label-free-detection-with-high-q-microcavities-a-review-of-3ouhhmhseg.pdf

Label-free detection with high-Q microcavities: a review of biosensing mechanisms for integrated devices.

In this paper, we review the current status of the hybrid silicon photonic integration platform with emphasis on its prospects for increased integration complexity. The hybrid silicon platform is maturing fast as increasingly complex circuits are reported with tens of integrated components including on-chip lasers. It is shown that this platform is well positioned and holds great potential to address future needs for medium-scale photonic integrated circuits.

/pdf/hybrid-silicon-photonic-integrated-circuit-technology-1988farjec.pdf

Hybrid Silicon Photonic Integrated Circuit Technology

Part I. Silicon Photonics - Introduction: 1. Fabless Silicon Photonics: 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Silicon photonics - the next fabless semiconductor industry 1.3 Applications 1.4 Technical challenges and the state of the art 1.5 Opportunities 2. Modelling and Design Approaches: 2.1 Optical Waveguide Mode Solver 2.2 Wave Propagation 2.3 Optoelectronic models 2.4 Microwave Modelling 2.5 Thermal Modelling 2.6 Photonic Circuit Modelling 2.7 Physical Layout 2.8 Software Tools Integration Part II. Silicon Photonics - Passive Components: 3. Optical Materials and Waveguides: 3.1 Silicon-on-Insulator 3.2 Waveguides 3.3 Bent waveguides 3.4 Code Listings 3.5 Problems 4. Fundamental Building Blocks: 4.1 Directional couplers 4.2 Y-Branch 4.3 Mach-Zehnder Interferometer 4.4 Ring resonators 4.5 Waveguide Bragg Grating Filters 4.6 Code Listings 4.7 Problems 5. Optical I/O: 5.1 The challenge of optical coupling to silicon photonic chips 5.2 Grating Coupler 5.3 Edge Coupler 5.4 Polarization 5.5 Code Listings 5.6 Problems Part III. Silicon Photonics - Active Components: 6. Modulators: 6.1 Plasma Dispersion E 6.2 PN Junction Phase Shifter 6.3 Micro-ring Modulators 6.4 Forward-biased PIN Junction 6.5 Active Tuning 6.6 Thermo-Optic Switch 6.7 Code Listings 6.8 Problems 7. Detectors: 7.1 Performance Parameters 7.2 Fabrication 7.3 Types of detectors 7.4 Design Considerations 7.5 Detector modelling 7.5.2 Electronic Simulations 7.6 Code Listings 7.7 Problems 8. Lasers: 8.1 External Lasers 8.2 Laser Modelling 8.3 Co-Packaging 8.4 Hybrid Silicon Lasers 8.5 Monolithic Lasers 8.6 Alternative Light Sources 8.7 Problems Part IV. Silicon Photonics - System Design: 9. Photonic Circuit Modelling: 9.1 Need for photonic circuit modelling 9.2 Components for System Design 9.3 Compact Models 9.4 Directional Coupler - Compact Model 9.5 Ring Modulator - Circuit Model 9.6 Grating Coupler - S Parameters 9.7 Code Listings 10. Tools and Techniques: 10.1 Process Design Kit (PDK) 10.2 Mask Layout 11. Fabrication: 11.1 Fabrication Non-Uniformity 11.2 Problems 12. Testing and Packaging: 12.1 Electrical and Optical Interfacing 12.2 Automated Optical Probe Stations 12.3 Design for Test 13. Silicon Photonic System Example: 13.1 Wavelength Division Multiplexed Transmitter.

Silicon Photonics Design: From Devices to Systems

A platform for performing rapid, real-time binding assays on sensor arrays based on silicon ring resonators is presented in this paper. An array of 32 sensors is interrogated simultaneously. Using eight sensors as controls, 24 simultaneous binding curves are produced. The bulk refractive index sensitivity of the system was demonstrated down to 7.6 × 10-7 and sensor-to-sensor variability is 3.9%. Using an 8-min incubation, real-time binding was observed over 8-logs of concentration down to 60 fM using immobilized biotin to capture streptavidin diluted in bovine serum albumin solution. Multiplexing in complex media is demonstrated with two DNA oligonucleotide probes. Time to result and repeatability are demonstrated to be adequate for clinical applications.

Label-Free Biosensor Arrays Based on Silicon Ring Resonators and High-Speed Optical Scanning Instrumentation

Silicon photonic technology has incredible potential to transform multiplexed bioanalysis on account of the scalability of
device fabrication, which maps favorably to a myriad of medical diagnostic applications. The optical properties of
CMOS-fabricated microring resonators are incredibly responsive to changes in the local dielectric environment
accompanying a biological binding event near the ring surface. Arrays of high-Q microrings were designed to be
individually addressable both in surface derivitization, using well-established microarraying technologies, and in optical
evaluation. The optical response of each ring can be determined in near real time allowing multiple biomolecular
interactions to be simultaneously monitored. We describe a stable and robust measurement platform that allows sensitive
visualization of small molecule surface chemical derivitization as well as monitoring of biological interactions, including
the detection of proteins and nucleic acids. We also present recent results demonstrating multiplexed measurement of
cancer markers. These demonstrations establish a pathway to higher level multiparameter analysis from real-world
patient samples; a development that will enable individualized disease diagnostics and personalized medicine.

A Robust Silicon Photonic Platform for Multiparameter Biological Analysis

Apparatus, sensor chips and techniques for optical sensing of substances by using optical sensors on sensor chips.

Frank Tybor

Papers

Label-Free Biosensor Arrays Based on Silicon Ring Resonators and High-Speed Optical Scanning Instrumentation

A Robust Silicon Photonic Platform for Multiparameter Biological Analysis

Biosensors based on optical probing and sensing