Open AccessHigh-sensitivity DNA biosensor based on microfiber Sagnac interferometer
Author(s) -
Shuai Gao,
Li-Peng Sun,
Jie Li,
Long Jin,
Yang Ran,
Yunyun Huang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.25.013305
Subject(s) - biosensor , microfiber , interferometry , optics , materials science , transducer , sensitivity (control systems) , interference (communication) , optical fiber , fiber optic sensor , birefringence , fluorophore , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , physics , fluorescence , computer science , electronic engineering , acoustics , channel (broadcasting) , engineering , composite material , computer network
Nucleic acid detection with label-free biosensors circumvents the need for costly fluorophore functionalization steps associated with conventional assays by utilizing optical fiber transducers. In spite of their technological prowess, however, these biosensors' sensitivity is limited by the design/configuration of their transducers. Therefore, it is imperative to integrate novel optical fiber transducers with existing label-free approaches to overcome those limitations. Herein, we present a high sensitivity label-free fiber optic biosensor that employs polarimetric interference of a high-birefringence (Hi-Bi) microfiber to specifically detect DNA molecules. A slight target DNA concentration change is converted into an optical wavelength shift of polarimetric interference generated by the microfiber Sagnac interferometer. The sensor provides a log-linear response to target ssDNA concentrations range from 100 pM to 1 μM and a minimum detectable concentration of 75 pM.