Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Cunningham, Brian T.
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Cunningham, Brian T.
Committee Member(s)
Choquette, Kent D.
Hergenrother, Paul J.
Eden, James G.
Department of Study
Electrical & Computer Eng
Discipline
Electrical & Computer Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Laser
External cavity laser
Optical biosensor
photonic crystal
Abstract
Utilizing a tunable photonic crystal resonant reflector as a mirror of an external cavity laser, we demonstrate a new type of label-free optical biosensor that achieves a high quality factor through the process of stimulated emission, while at the same time providing high sensitivity, large dynamic range and simple detection instrumentation. The photonic crystal is fabricated inexpensively from plastic materials, and its resonant wavelength is tuned by adsorption of biomolecules on its surface. Gain for the lasing process is provided by a semiconductor optical amplifier, resulting in a simple detection instrument that operates by normally incident noncontact illumination of the photonic crystal and direct back-reflection into the amplifier. We demonstrate single-mode, mode-hop-free, biomolecule-induced tuning of the continuous-wave laser wavelength. Because the approach incorporates external optical gain that is separate from the transducer, the device represents a significant advance over previous passive optical resonator biosensors and laser-based biosensors.
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