Bioconjugation of ultra-high-Q optical microcavities for label-free sensing

Heather K. Hunt; Andrea M. Armani

doi:10.1117/12.873965

8 February 2011 Bioconjugation of ultra-high-Q optical microcavities for label-free sensing

Heather K. Hunt, Andrea M. Armani

Proceedings Volume 7888, Frontiers in Biological Detection: From Nanosensors to Systems III; 788803 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.873965
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The development of label-free biosensors with high sensitivity and specificity is of significant interest for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, where rapid and real-time detection of antigens, bacteria, viruses, etc., is necessary. Ultra-high-Q optical microcavities are uniquely suited to sensing applications, but previous research efforts in this area have focused on the development of the sensor itself. While device sensitivity is crucial to sensor development, specificity is an equally important feature. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a high density, covalent surface functionalization process, which also maintains the device's performance. Here, we demonstrate a facile method to impart specificity to optical microcavities, without adversely impacting their optical performance. In this approach, we selectively functionalize the surface of the silica microtoroids with amine-terminated silane coupling agents, and examine the impact of differing reaction schemes on the overall quality of the devices. The chemistries investigated here result in uniform surface coverage, and no microstructural damage, and do not adversely impact the optical performance of the devices, as measured by their quality factors before and after functionalization. This work represents one of the first examples of non-physisorption-based bioconjugation of optical microtoroid resonators, which can be used for the label-free detection of biomolecules.

Citation Download Citation

Heather K. Hunt and Andrea M. Armani "Bioconjugation of ultra-high-Q optical microcavities for label-free sensing", Proc. SPIE 7888, Frontiers in Biological Detection: From Nanosensors to Systems III, 788803 (8 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.873965

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