Layered polymer: Inorganic composite waveguides for biosensor applications

In this work, we investigate the usability of layered polymer - inorganic composite waveguides for label-free sensing of surface bound bioreactions in an aqueous environment. The waveguide structure consists of a nanoimprint fabricated polymeric inverted rib waveguide with a sputtered Ta₂O₅ thin film on top. The interaction of the optical field with the surface is increased as a consequence of the mode profile localization near the surface, when high-index coating is deposited on a low-index waveguide. Young interferometer configuration with reference and sensors waveguide arms was utilized in sensor chips. Light from a laser source was end-fire coupled into the chips and interference pattern produced by the outcoupled light was investigated. External μ-fluidic pump was used to produce the analyte flow. Ambient refractive index change was characterized by applying DI-water with varying glucose concentration on waveguides. With the waveguide length of 1 cm a detection limit in the order of 10^-7 - 10^-6 refractive index unit (RIU) was achieved. Specific binding reactions on the surface were investigated with C - reactive protein (CRP) antibodies and antigens.